Tom Warne Report, 24 August 2012
An environmental group in Wisconsin is pushing a state constitutional amendment that would nearly double funding for road projects if lawmakers and voters approve the proposal. The idea by 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin is to send half of all revenue collected by the state gas tax and vehicle fees to local governments for the purpose of local road work.
The change would increase local road funding by $901 million over two years at current funding levels, from $928 million in the 2011-2013 state budget to nearly $1.83 billion. The funding would be pulled from state highways and other transportation programs.
A blue-ribbon panel is separately studying a wide range of potential changes to how the state pays for road projects, including gas tax hikes, tolls, mileage-based fees, and higher registration fees for hybrids and electric vehicles. The Legislature-appointed Transportation Finance and Policy Commission is an advisory panel charged with finding ways to pay for transportation now that gas tax revenue is shrinking with more fuel-efficient vehicles and people driving less. Final recommendations are expected this fall from the group.