Lawmakers will face increased pressure next session to end raids on the state transportation fund.
Voters in 53 Wisconsin counties on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved advisory referendum questions on ending the practice of using money from the state’s road building fund to balance the budget. Racine County also approved a similar referendum question during the September primary.
Transportation Development Association director Craig Thompson says the measures passed in every county where it was on the ballot, with an average of 70-percent of the vote. The lowest margin was 61.5-percent in Trempealeau County and 85.1-percent in Dodge County.
Recent state budgets have taken money out of the transportation fund, which is fueled by gas taxes, in order to fund other programs and spending.
Thompson says they’ll be pushing lawmakers to take up the issue, and are hoping a state Constitutional Amendment can be introduced this spring. The measure would have to pass two consecutive sessions of the Legislature before going to voters for final approval.