State Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) wants to reverse auto insurance changes contained in the last state budget. He and other GOP lawmakers claim the increased mandatory levels of coverage have led to spikes in premium costs.
State Representative Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) says with the economic downturn, families should not have to deal with rate increases, some of which are around 50 percent.
At the capitol press conference, State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) had issue with Democrats slipping the auto insurance mandates into the budget rather than risking public input by introducing a seperate bill.
State Senator Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) says despite the intention to require all drivers have auto coverage, the mandates will actually prompt some motorists to drop their insurance as they can no longer afford it. Ellis calls the mandates a “payback” to campaign donors.
Fifteen Republicans are backing the legislation along with one Democrat, Senator Tim Carpenter of Milwaukee.