RIPP UPDATE: BUDGET MOTIONS WILL BENEFIT 42ND DISTRICT

The Joint Finance Committee Approves Transportation and Child Support Budget Items

 

Madison- Two large budget items increasing funding for local transportation aid and child support collections passed the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) last week.

 

The first item includes funding increases to General Transportation Aids for local municipalities. Towns will see a 2.4% increase in their mileage rate, and counties will see an increase of 2.4% in their calendar year county distribution. Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) suggested and supported both increases to the Joint Finance Committee. 

 

“I’ve heard from the citizens and the local leaders in my district and one thing is clear; our local infrastructure needs to be protected,” Ripp said. “Local aid is vital to ensuring that our towns and counties can adequately maintain their roads. Ensuring an efficient transportation system will only serve to help our small businesses and local economy."

 

The second item is $4,250,000 in state funding for local child support enforcement activities, generating $8,500,000 biennially in addition to federal matching funds. This funding will allow for counties to continually implement and administer the child support enforcement program at the local level.

 

“This funding addresses taxpayer concerns and those of the parents in my district,” Ripp said. “I think it is so important that we promote personal responsibility by holding these parents accountable. Helping our local child support enforcement agencies protect our children is just one of many ways we are protecting the taxpayer dollar.”

 

The Joint Finance Committee will continue to hold executive sessions on various portions of the budget in the coming weeks.  It then moves to the Assembly Floor for discussion and votes from the entire Assembly.