by Bob Hague | Sep 22, 2016
Governor Scott Walker says he’s been clear on transportation funding: he won’t accept gas tax or vehicle fee increases without corresponding decreases elsewhere in the state’s budget. Assembly leaders, not happy with Walker’s proposed Department of...
by Andrew Beckett | Sep 21, 2016
Governor Scott Walker is reaching out directly to the top Republican in the state Assembly with a call to work together on transportation funding. In a letter to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos sent Wednesday, Walker said he welcomes constructive input on the budget...
by Andrew Beckett | Sep 15, 2016
The state Department of Transportation’s budget plan released by Governor Scott Walker on Thursday is receiving a cool reception from top Republicans in the state Assembly. In a joint release, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), Majority Leader Rep. Jim...
by Andrew Beckett | Sep 15, 2016
A budget request from the state Department of Transportation calls for directing more money to local roads and bridges, while also delaying portions of several of the state’s major constructions projects. The plan includes a $65 million increase in local aid, a...
by Andrew Beckett | Jun 27, 2016
Governor Scott Walker wants the Department of Transportation to have its full budget request turned in to his office about two months earlier than usual. During the fall before the biennial budget is released, the DOT usually turns in its full request in November....
by Andrew Beckett | Jun 2, 2016
While he will not introduce his next state budget proposal until early next year, Governor Scott Walker is already making it clear he will hold firm on a position not to consider raising gas taxes or vehicle registration fees to help fund transportation projects....
by Bob Hague | Oct 19, 2015
A state lawmaker wants to restore gas tax indexing. “All we’ve been doing lately is putting everything into bonding, and that credit card approach means that my children and their children are going to be paying for roads that they’ll never drive...
by Bob Hague | Jul 12, 2015
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed a $72.5 billion state budget at a Waukesha factory on Sunday, saying “the taxpayers come first” in the two-year spending plan. “I’m proud to say that property taxes in December of 2016 will be lower for...
by Andrew Beckett | Jun 17, 2015
As Republican lawmakers continue to meet behind closed doors to finalize the state budget, Governor Scott Walker expressed some optimism that they will wrap up their work on the two-year spending plan in the near future. During a call with reporters Wednesday, Walker...
by Bob Hague | Feb 4, 2015
Governor Scott Walker’s plans to pay for the state’s transportation needs through increased borrowing are likely to face close scrutiny once lawmakers get down to the task of assessing the Republican governor’s proposed 2015-’17 state budget...
by Jackie Johnson | Feb 3, 2015
Governor Scott Walker delivers his budget address that would “grow Wisconsin’s economy” while “reforming state government.” Walker’s 2015-2017 spending plan would cut funding for the University of Wisconsin System by $300 million...
by Bob Hague | Feb 3, 2015
Governor Scott Walker will officially unveil his budget Tuesday night. And there will be borrowing. Marquette University political scientist Charles Franklin said it will help pay for the state’s substantial transportation needs, as other funding mechanisms have...
by Jackie Johnson | Oct 14, 2014
Governor Scott Walker floats the idea of replacing the traditional gas tax with a sales tax on gasoline and alternative fuels for vehicles, saying it could help stabilize the state transportation fund as it faces a $680 million shortfall in the next biennial budget....
by Jackie Johnson | Oct 15, 2013
Lawmakers are moving quickly on Governor Scott Walker’s proposed $100 million property tax cut. The legislature’s budget writing committee discussed the issue briefly Tuesday morning before sending it on to the full Senate. Representative John Nygren...
by Bob Hague | Feb 20, 2013
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker unveiled a two-year state spending plan on Wednesday night, which he said will include a middle class income tax cut totaling $343 million, and a controversial expansion of school choice. “One of the best ways to grow our economy is to...
by Bob Hague | Jan 18, 2013
A new report will recommend a hike in the state gasoline tax. It’s not due out until next week, but the Transportation Finance and Policy Commission report will address ways to overcome a crucial funding gap on the horizon, according to Craig Thompson, executive...
by Andrew Beckett | Nov 27, 2012
Governor Scott Walker says he would rather not delay major road construction projects in the state, if funding can be found. The state budget request from the Department of Transportation calls for delaying several projects, including work on Milwaukee’s Zoo...
by Bob Hague | Oct 16, 2018
How to pay for the state’s future infrastructure needs? The answer has eluded lawmakers at the Capitol for the past two legislative sessions. In Madison on Tuesday, State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) said problems with the state’s...
by Bob Hague | Sep 20, 2018
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers delivered his annual State of Education address at the Capitol over the noon hour on Thursday. “Governing is about priorities . . . and right now, Wisconsin priorities are out of whack,” Evers said,...
by Bob Hague | Aug 15, 2018
Roads are shaping up as an issue in the race for governor. On WISN radio’s “Jay Webber Show,” Governor Scott Walker said Democrat Tony Evers wants to raise gas taxes to fund transportation projects. “If Tony Evers wants to talk about jacking up...
