Governor Walker Supports I-39/90 Project in Transportation Budget

Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) issued a statement in support of Governor Walker’s 2017-19 transportation budget and his commitment to keep the I-39/90 project on schedule.  Senator Nass could not join the Governor at his Beloit press conference today, since he was chairing a meeting of the Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee.  He did issue the following statement:

“Governor Walker has repeatedly supported the completion, on schedule, of the I-39/90 project.  To date, Governor Walker’s 2017-19 transportation budget is the only one that keeps this vital commitment to southern Wisconsin.  I thank Governor Walker for standing with my constituents and will fight for his proposal in the State Senate.”

Key Elements of Governor Walker’s 2017-19 Transportation Plan

 - Contains no transportation tax increases or an increase in vehicle registration fees.

 - $500 million in new bonding for transportation projects over the 2017-19 biennium.  Current budget authorized $850 million in transportation bonding.  2017-19 new bonding levels are the lowest amount since the 2001-03 budget.

 - Keeps all active major projects on schedule.  Especially, the I-39/90 project in southern Wisconsin that is vitally important to the state and local communities in the 11th Senate District.

 - An increase of more than $522 million for the Department of Transportation's (DOT) base funding.  Including nearly $15.9 million in increased transportation aid to counties and more than $30 million in increased aid to municipalities.  DOT is also requesting an increase of $14 million for the Local Roads Improvement Program and $5 million for the Local Bridge Improvement Assistance program.

 - Proposes nearly $30 million for highway maintenance and traffic operation needs, $33.7 million for routine maintenance performed by the counties, and one-time transfers of $19 million in FY18 and $19 million in FY19 as revenue to the segregated Transportation Fund.

 - Overall, it increases aid to a variety of local transportation programs by $77 million.