REP. KEITH RIPP'S ROAD AND BRIDGE VIDEO:

MAPPING OUT THE FACTS ON TRANSPORTATION

Madison, WI – State Representative Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) released a roads and bridges video titled, Mapping out the Facts on Transportation, on the same day as the Joint Committee on Finance holds their agency briefing with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

 

The goal of today’s (Wednesday, March 29) WisDOT agency briefing is to understand the transportation funding portion in Governor Walker’s 2017-19 Biennial Budget plan. Rep. Ripp’s video highlights the impact deteriorating infrastructure has on local roads and bridges.

“Weight limits on highways and bridges are becoming more frequent in Wisconsin,” said Rep. Ripp. “Temporary maintenance fixes are no longer practical options because these roads and bridges are already past their lifespan.”  

 

The video is Rep. Ripp’s recent ride along with Columbia County Highway Commissioner, Chris Hardy, as they toured various roadways throughout Columbia County. Rep. Ripp encourages his legislative colleagues to organize ride along events in their districts to learn more about their local road conditions.

 

For the past two legislative sessions, Rep. Ripp has been actively supporting the need to find immediate and long-term solutions to funding Wisconsin’s transportation system. This legislative session is no different. However, there is a greater demand to invest in the state’s Transportation Fund, especially with the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s (LFB) memo that estimated a nearly $1 billion dollar shortfall in the 2017-19 transportation budget just to meet the current level of state infrastructure projects.

 

Instead of increasing the state’s reliance on borrowing for infrastructure projects, which costs the state over 20 cents of debt service for every transportation dollar spent, Rep. Ripp supports three key initiatives. First, find savings within WisDOT through the recent Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau Report 17-2. Second, examine WisDOT spending expenditures and prioritize state construction projects. Finally, create funding solutions to ensure current and future revenue streams for Wisconsin’s vast transportation network.

 

“I voted against the 2015-17 biennial budget because borrowing for the Transportation Fund is not a viable funding solution,” said Rep. Ripp. “Wisconsin’s economy and residents depend on a reliable state transportation system, and the State Legislature needs to do their part this session in making investments for current and future generations.”

 

To view Rep. Ripp’s Mapping out the Facts on Transportation video, click here.  

The Joint Committee on Finance will hold public hearings around the state on the Governor's 2017-19 Biennial Budget (Assembly Bill 64/Senate Bill 30) proposal during the weeks of April 3, 2017 and April 17, 2017 based on the following schedule:

 

Monday, April 3  (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)*

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Ullsvick Hall

30 South Hickory Street

Platteville, WI 53818 

 

Wednesday, April 5 (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)*

State Fair Park - Exposition Center

8200 West Greenfield Avenue
West Allis, WI 53214

 

Friday, April 7  (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)*

Berlin High School (Auditorium)
222 Memorial Drive
Berlin, WI 54923

 

Tuesday, April 18  (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)*

Spooner High School (Auditorium)

801 County Highway A

Spooner, WI 54801

 

Wednesday, April 19 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)*

Ellsworth High School (Gymnasium)

323 West Hillcrest Street

Ellsworth, WI  54011

 

Friday, April 21  (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)*

Marinette High School (Auditorium)

2135 Pierce Avenue

Marinette, WI  54143

 

*The Committee will conclude taking testimony at the time specified. Written comments can be emailed to the Committee at BudgetComments@legis.wisconsin.gov, or sent via U.S. mail to: Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702.