Background:

The Governor’s Executive Budget, introduced in February, proposed to close 40 DMV satellite offices in rural communities across the state leaving several counties with no office. The offices are open from one day per week to one day every two months. The list of 40 included Reedsburg, Sauk City, Baraboo, Tomah, Darlington, Dodgeville and Prairie du Chien, leaving Sauk and Iowa Counties among counties with no office.

Outcome:

Concern arose about the cost to the economy as people took time to drive longer distances, the environmental impact of several people driving further instead of a couple state employees, and the fact the closures were all in rural areas. The Joint Committee on Finance, comprised of 8 Assembly Representatives and 8 Senators, deleted the Governor’s provision which should result in a status quo of all the offices remaining open. DOT informs me there are no specific plans to change operations now that the budget is finalized.