Infrastructure

Gov. Scott Walker is all for transportation infrastructure as long as it’s about building roads and he doesn’t have to be responsible for finding a way to responsibly pay for it.

In his early years, he opposed a plan from fellow Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson to fund construction of Wisconsin roads by taxing big oil companies. Now he’s proposing to kick the can down the road with a massive borrowing plan to solve a crisis in transportation funding.

The short-sightedness of Walker’s transportation policy was on full display as he entered the Governor’s office by killing a high speed rail line, funded almost entirely with federal dollars, to connect the state’s two largest cities, Milwaukee and Madison, and further connect these state economic hubs to Minneapolis, Chicago and other Midwestern cities.

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Debt payments for Wisconsin road work have doubled under Scott Walker, Democrat Kelda Roys says Roys says that under Walker, on a percentage basis, Wisconsin is “spending twice as much on debt service for just basic road repair and maintenance” than before he took office. The portion of road revenue being used for debt service was 11.5 percent during the final budget year for Doyle, Walker’s predecessor. The figure is […] [PolitiFact, 06/11/2018]
The Latest: Walker confident I-94 will be done on time The state of Wisconsin will be receiving $86 million less than what it requested from the federal government to pay for upgrades and expansion of Interstate 94 south of Milwaukee in conjunction with the Foxconn Technology Group project. But Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday the work will still be completed by 2021 as planned. The […] [WBAY-TV, 06/06/2018]
Detour: Wisconsin farmers cope with new bridge restrictions New weight restrictions were placed on nearly 200 Wisconsin bridges — most on county and town roads in the western part of the state — this spring as highway engineers try to account for the strain from newer trucks that use tightly-spaced axles to carry more weight in a smaller frame. As a result, farmers […] [La Crosse Tribune, 05/30/2018]
Foxconn plant could reduce road funding by $90 million Funding for state road projects could be reduced as much as $90 million by mid-2019 in order to pay for roadwork related to the $10 billion Foxconn Technology Group plant in southeast Wisconsin. [Associated Press, 02/28/2018]
Scott Walker floats gas tax increase as means to get federal road funding Gov. Scott Walker reopened Thursday the possibility of raising the state’s gas tax to pay the state’s share of a proposed $1.5 trillion federal infrastructure package… “We’re willing to invest to obtain those dollars to grow and build our infrastructure here,” Walker said. “I’m willing to look at ways to add to our revenue in […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 02/02/2018]
Walker: Broadband infrastructure key to Northwoods job growth While it is hoped the recently signed “Mining for America” bill will spur the local economy through the creation of new jobs, Gov. Scott Walker noted during the bill signing ceremony Dec. 12 real growth in jobs in the northern part of the state will hinge on greater access to high-speed internet. To that end, […] [Northwoods River News, 01/02/2018]
Gov. Walker on transportation budget: “Get it done” Gov. Scott Walker has three words for state lawmakers: “Get it done.” The governor called on the legislature to get the transportation budget completed during a stop in Neenah. The transportation budget faces a nearly $1 billion shortfall. [WBAY-TV, 05/25/2017]
Governor Walker, Senator Fitzgerald oppose separating roads budget Gov. Scott Walker joined Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald on Thursday, May 11th in denouncing separating transportation funding from the state budget, saying there’s no reason to take that unusual approach to break an impasse in the Republican-controlled Legislature over how to pay for roads. The Republican co-chairs of the budget committee said Thursday they […] [WITI-TV, 05/11/2017]
Kooyenga hopeful that Scott Walker and state senators will buy in to state transportation plan After rejecting Gov. Scott Walker’s transportation budget, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, and Assembly Republicans put forward a new plan to fund state transportation last Thursday. It includes applying sales tax to gas sales, cutting the gas tax, cutting state income taxes, opening up the possibility of toll roads and increasing fees for electric vehicles […] [Capital Times, 05/07/2017]
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker doesn’t support Assembly GOP gas tax changes Assembly Republicans’ plan to pay for Wisconsin roads by applying the sales tax to gas has run into a roadblock in Gov. Scott Walker. The GOP governor and Assembly Republicans have been grappling over how to fill a projected $1 billion shortfall in the state’s transportation fund. Walker’s state budget calls for delaying projects and […] [St. Paul Pioneer Press, 05/06/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker mum on Wisconsin GOP lawmakers’ roads plan, cautious on flat tax Gov. Scott Walker signaled skepticism Wednesday of any quick approval of a proposed flat income tax even as he repeatedly held off on commenting on most parts of a larger tax and transportation plan from Assembly Republicans. In an interview, Walker said he’s waiting to see the full details Thursday on the sweeping GOP proposal […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/03/2017]
Assembly Republicans May Propose New Sales Tax on Gas An Assembly Republican alternative to Gov. Scott Walker’s funding plan for roads may include a new sales tax on gasoline along with cuts to income taxes as part of an overreaching tax overhaul, a different approach to what other GOP leaders have advocated. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported details of the plan Tuesday that’s […] [Associated Press, 05/02/2017]
Scott Walker backs using more general fund taxes for transportation Gov. Scott Walker said Monday he has no interest in raising the gas tax or vehicle registration fees in the budget, but he supports using general fund taxes to help pay for roads. The comments Monday signaled the direction Republicans may be headed as they try to break up a logjam on how to fund […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/25/2017]
Gov. Scott Walker open to raising vehicle registration fees Gov. Scott Walker remains opposed to raising the gas tax, but he’s not shutting the door on higher vehicle registration fees. Walker tells WKOW-TV in an interview Thursday that “there might be some other ways” to paying for roads in Wisconsin other than gas tax hikes. He did not rule out raising transportation-related fees as […] [WITI-TV, 04/21/2017]
Wisconsin frees up $100 million for highway projects The State of Wisconsin is freeing up $100 million for additional highway projects. The decision comes as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is projecting $38 million in additional revenue. “Today, I am directing WisDOT to advance $65 million in projects statewide into state fiscal year 2017,” Governor Scott Walker said. “In addition, WisDOT is projecting […] [WBAY-TV, 04/13/2017]
Unusual budget maneuver sets up showdown on conservative policies, transportation Last week, the leaders of the Legislature’s powerful budget committee tossed out dozens of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposals — including his entire transportation budget — though some could be coming back as lawmakers write their own version of the state’s new two-year spending plan. The 83 proposals stripped out of the 2017-19 budget were identified […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/09/2017]
Budget committee removes 83 Scott Walker budget proposals In another sign of trouble for Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to borrow more and delay road construction projects, the Legislature’s Republican-controlled budget committee announced Thursday it would start its negotiations from scratch rather than from the governor’s road-funding proposal. [Wisconsin State Journal, 04/07/2017]
Wisconsin lawmakers buck Gov. Scott Walker, drop his transportation plan from budget In a move not seen in at least 24 years, top lawmakers yanked dozens of provisions from Gov. Scott Walker’s budget bill, including the entire transportation plan put forward by their fellow Republican. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/06/2017]
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos keeps brakes on Milwaukee I-94 project The leader of the state Assembly kept the brakes on rebuilding a section of I-94 in Milwaukee on Wednesday, a day after a coalition of prominent business officials asked lawmakers to make sure the project gets done. “The delays on the I-94 N-S in Racine County have continued for far too long,” said a written […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 04/05/2017]
Assembly Speaker slams Scott Walker for changing position on gas tax Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Thursday slammed Gov. Scott Walker for changing his position on a possible gas tax increase in the state budget and called the transportation secretary’s position on the issue of road funding “delusional.” “I’m waiting for an actual rock-hard position I can trust people to stick with and I haven’t seen […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/31/2017]
Lawmakers Take Aim At Walker Transportation Budget Some of the sharpest criticism of the governor’s plan came from Joint Finance Committee co-chair John Nygren, a Republican from Marinette, who focused on a recent audit and a DOT report that showed the condition of Wisconsin’s roads had steadily declined and were poised to get even worse. “How do you, as a secretary of […] [WPR, 03/30/2017]
New DOT Secretary: State must spend less on roads, build fewer projects The vexing challenge of how to pay for Wisconsin’s roads and bridges has a simple solution: Build less and prioritize more, new state Department of Transportation Secretary Dave Ross told lawmakers Thursday. “It’s a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” Ross said. Ross, testifying to the state Senate Transportation committee, placed new emphasis on what […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/17/2017]
Scott Walker: State can match or exceed $100,000 to lure military planes at Truax Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday the state can match or exceed $100,000 in state taxpayer subsidies to house 18 F-35 fighter jets at Truax Field, but he emphasized that money won’t be the deciding factor. “It’s not a question of money,” Walker said. “If that’s the case, we certainly could match or exceed that,” he […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 03/02/2017]
Audit Blasts Gov. Walker’s Department of Transportation amid debate over transpo funding shortfall Officials from the state Department of Transportation faced questions from lawmakers on Tuesday in light of a critical audit that found the agency significantly underestimated the costs of ongoing and completed major highway projects. The DOT underestimated cost estimates for 16 ongoing major highway projects by a total of about $3.1 billion and did not […] [Capital Times, 02/21/2017]
Gov. Walker says his budget covers transportation funding, no need for gas tax hike Despite concerns from some legislators, Gov. Scott Walker said his proposed budget will cover the state’s transportation priorities without the need to raise taxes or implement a gas tax increase. [Appleton Post-Crescent, 02/09/2017]
Gov. Walker opposing gas tax increase for road funding Gov. Scott Walker reiterated his opposition to raising the gas tax to pay for roads on Thursday in the face of Republican legislative leaders who were looking for alternatives to key parts of his budget, including the proposal to cut University of Wisconsin tuition by 5 percent. Walker previously had said he would consider gas […] [Associated Press, 02/09/2017]
Milwaukee business leaders oppose Gov. Walker dropping I-94 East-West project A coalition of Milwaukee business leaders already is gearing up to challenge Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s decision to drop his earlier plan to fund rebuilding a stretch of Interstate 94 near Miller Park, the Milwaukee Business Journal has learned. The budget address Walker delivered late Wednesday afternoon did not include money to advance the I-94 […] [Milwaukee Business Journal, 02/08/2017]
Walker: Bad estimate for road costs no reason to raise taxes Gov. Scott Walker says he remains opposed to increasing the gas tax despite an audit last week that showed major highway projects in Wisconsin have cost more than initially estimated over the past decade. The Republican governor said Wednesday that now is “not the time to raise any tax” because the state is seeing a […] [WTMJ-TV, 02/02/2017]
Robin Vos: Increasing gas taxes unlikely Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos conceded Wednesday that gas taxes “probably” aren’t going to be increased to pay for road improvements, given Gov. Scott Walker’s opposition to that approach… The biggest budget fight this year is expected to be over transportation funding. The state faces a nearly $1 billion shortfall, and Walker is proposing fixing […] [Wisconsin State Journal, 01/19/2017]
Poll finds most voters against borrowing for roads A new poll finds most Wisconsin voters are against the approach Gov. Scott Walker wants to take to deal with a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall for road projects. The Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday shows that 43 percent of registered voters would support a gas tax or registration fee increase to pay […] [WSAW-TV, 08/10/2016]
Walker asks feds for flooding disaster declaration Gov. Scott Walker has asked President Barack Obama’s administration for a federal disaster declaration for nine northern Wisconsin counties and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribal nation in the wake of torrential rains and flash flooding. Thunderstorms moved across the region beginning July 11, producing heavy rain, damaging winds and hail. Walker’s […] [WEAU-TV, 08/03/2016]
Walker wants to green-light I-94 project As Gov. Scott Walker talks about cutting Milwaukee highway megaprojects to avoid gas tax hikes, he’s telling federal officials that he’ll greenlight another nearly $1 billion job in southeastern Wisconsin…in a May 13 letter, the GOP governor told the Federal Highway Administration that his administration wants to kick off an $850 million project to widen […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/31/2016]
Republicans in Wisconsin Butting Heads Over Gas Tax A Republican lawmaker in Wisconsin is proposing the state raise its gasoline tax or levy tolls on state highways to avoid a $940 million transportation revenue gap over the next two years, but fellow-Republican, Gov. Scott Walker, opposes that idea. “We need to bring in new revenue that will help buy down our transportation debt […] [The Bond Buyer, 07/28/2016]
Lawmakers OK additional highway borrowing Lawmakers gave Walker’s administration the ability to ask for an extra $350 million in borrowing — $200 million this fiscal year and $150 million for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The Joint Finance Committee can release or withhold those funds. Walker’s Department of Transportation last month asked for $200 million in bonding to […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/04/2015]
Highway funds: Too much or too little? While Gov. Scott Walker wanted to bond $1.3 billion to keep transportation projects on track, Republicans balked at that level of borrowing and reduced the amount to around $850 million, with the caveat that $350 million would be held in reserves by the Joint Finance Committee. While DOT Secretary Mark Gottleib has made the request […] [Sheboygan Press, 10/31/2015]
Scott Walker asks Senate Republicans for more road borrowing Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday urged Senate Republicans to approve additional borrowing to help put back on track at least some of the five major highway projects that are facing delays. Walker’s administration announced last week it was delaying the five projects and disclosed Monday it would be pushing back work on other, smaller ones. […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/06/2015]
Walker relies on $1.3 billion in borrowing to fund state transportation projects Gov. Scott Walker isn’t backing an increase in the gas tax and instead wants to rely on $1.3 billion in borrowing to fund transportation projects over the next two years. Under the Republican governor’s plan, bonding for transportation would rise by about 30%, but the state’s overall borrowing would drop. That’s because Walker is recommending […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 01/30/2015]
Politics top concern among Walker and team in response to O’Donnell tragedy. An email from Walker’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Timothy Russell, sent shortly after the tragedy reads: “Where is SKW (Scott Walker)? This is going to be a problem, whether we did (or didn’t do) anything or not. Barrett has already been there. Scott cannot be at a fundraiser or something like that. He’ll be eaten […] [WITI-TV, 02/19/2014]
Walker personally oversaw response to O’Donnell Park tragedy, he and his team put political concerns first Gov. Scott Walker worked simultaneously with his campaign staff and county aides in coordinating responses to media inquiries, open records requests and news stories about the 2010 O’Donnell Park tragedy, according to newly released emails. The records show that Walker was integrally involved in the efforts to challenge any negative publicity after a concrete panel […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/30/2013]
Walker aide indicted on charges of stealing from fallen soldiers group proposed alternate theory of O’Donnell accident On the day of the O’Donnell accident, a county aide to Walker raises the issue of whether a car striking the concrete panel might have jarred it loose. “Perhaps grasping at straws but there is a vacant parking space at the north end of the area where the slab was hung,” Timothy Russell wrote in […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/30/2013]
Walker sought to justify involvement of campaign aides in county response to O’Donnell Park incident by blaming political opponents Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday that his top campaign staffers began advising and directing his Milwaukee County aides on their response to the 2010 O’Donnell Park tragedy because Walker’s political foes were trying to hijack the issue. “Literally, within moments — I think even that day in your paper’s story — there were comments from […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 07/30/2013]
Walker cut $9.6 million in aid for mass transit Walker signed into law $9.6 million in cuts to mass transit operating expenses for the biennium. The cuts have the biggest impact on the Milwaukee and Madison transit systems ($5,576,500 and $1,465,200 respectively). (2011-13 Executive Budget Comparative Summary, Department of Transportation, page 667; 2011 Assembly Bill 40, introduced 3/1/11; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker raided money from other projects for reconstruction of bridge in Milwaukee In the budget, Walker signed into law a provision that allows the Department of Transportation to take money from other major projects funded through major highway development, state highway rehabilitation, and southeast Wisconsin megaprojects programs for costs associated with the reconstruction of the Hoan Bridge and I-794 in Milwaukee County. (2011-13 Executive Budget Comparative Summary, […] [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker slashed general transportation aids to local governments for road maintenance Walker signed into law $27.5 million in cuts to transportation aid to local governments for maintenance of local roads. (2011-13 Executive Budget Comparative Summary, Department of Transportation, page 666; 2011 Assembly Bill 40, introduced 3/1/11; Senate Roll Call; Assembly Roll Call) [2011 WI Act 32, 06/26/2011]
Walker signs landline phone bill backed by telecom industry Many long-standing regulations on traditional landline telephones will be dropped under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Scott Walker that is the first big rewrite of the state’s telecommunications laws since 1994. AT&T Inc. and other backers of the legislation passed earlier this month on bipartisan votes said previous state telecommunications law was premised on […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 05/24/2011]
Deregulates Telecom Industry Walker signed into law a bill that eliminates many regulations on telecommunications utilities and alternative telecommunications utilities. It also lowers the rates that telephone companies charge for use of each other’s lines and reduces the Public Service Commission oversight of landline phone service, which has been on the decline as consumers switch to wireless phones. […] [2011 WI Act 95, 05/24/2011]
Walker returning $23 million federal grant for high speed internet in rural areas Another suprise buried in Walker’s undemocratic, unbalanced and potentially unconstitutional budget adjustment bill is the return of a $23 million federal grant for installation of high speed internet in 380 communities areas across Wisconsin. [Anna Landmark, 02/14/2011]
Upon being elected, Walker killed high speed rail in Wisconsin Thursday, President Obama officially withdrew $810 million from Wisconsin and announced he will re-allocate it to other states…Supporters said the project would create thousands of construction jobs and create an economic boom along the rail line. Governor Doyle released a statement calling this a “tragic moment” for Wisconsin. Madison was already planning a major transformation […] [WMTV-TV, 12/15/2010]
High-speed rail funds scatter to other states “Wisconsin will keep only a fraction of the $810 million it won in federal high-speed rail money, while the rest will help fund train lines in California, Florida, Illinois and other states, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday. Governor-elect Scott Walker had vowed to kill the planned 110-mph Milwaukee-to-Madison passenger train route that was […] [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/09/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Delivers Over 7,000 Petitions to Gov.-Elect Walker’s Office to ‘Save the Train’ MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now delivered the names of over 7,000 Wisconsinites from every corner of the state to the office of Gov.-elect Scott Walker who signed One Wisconsin Now’s “Save the Train” petition demanding Walker drop opposition to the high speed rail project for Wisconsin. “The people of Wisconsin have spoken and it […] [One Wisconsin Now, 12/02/2010]
Over 7,000 Sign One Wisconsin Now Petition to ‘Save the Train’ Over 7,000 Wisconsin supporters of high speed rail have signed One Wisconsin Now’s petition calling to “Save the Train” and called for Republican Gov.-elect Scott Walker to drop his opposition to the high speed rail project, which will create thousands of Wisconsin jobs and increase the state’s ability to attract new business and commerce. [One Wisconsin Now, 11/18/2010]
One Wisconsin Now Debuts ‘Moving in the Right Direction: Bringing High Speed Rail to Wisconsin’ Video MADISON, Wis. — The overwhelming benefits of high speed rail set for Wisconsin, including 13,000 new jobs, billions of dollars in benefits and reduced dependence on foreign oil, are the subject of a new One Wisconsin Now video produced by University of Wisconsin-Madison senior William Barnes. The video is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEwgv1fQDSQ. The video also […] [One Wisconsin Now, 10/13/2010]
Walker Voted for Train Bidding Statute He’s Railing Against Scott Walker’s hollow criticism of the Talgo bidding process, which was not awarded to the company of his $13,000 donor and 2006 gubernatorial co-chair, is even more hypocritical given that Walker voted to create the no-bid statute in the 1997 state budget. [One Wisconsin Now, 03/17/2010]
Walker’s Talgo ‘Outrage’ Paved with $150,000 in GOP Contributions from Super Steel Owner MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s criticism related to the Talgo company comes just two weeks after the company owned by a top Walker campaign donor and finance co-chair of his failed 2006 gubernatorial campaign did not receive a contract from the Spanish train maker. Walker’s criticism, in which he also leveled charges […] [One Wisconsin Now, 03/16/2010]
Lack of Infrastructure Investment is a Consistent Complaint Against Walker “Milwaukee Supervisor John Weishan also charges that Walker has drained funds that should have gone to maintaining the county’s infrastructure to instead maintain his pledge never to raise property taxes. ‘He’s looted our capital account,’ says Weishan. ‘There’s no money for roads or sewers.’ The lack of infrastructure investment is a consistent complaint against Walker, […] [Isthmus, 11/20/2009]
Walker Enacted Wage Freezes, Pay Cuts, Furloughs, Pension & Health Benefit Cutbacks for County Employees “Recently, after the county workers’ union accepted a two-year wage freeze in exchange for no layoffs, Walker outlined a budget calling for 3% pay cuts, furloughs, pension and health-benefit cutbacks, and replacing 222 county housekeeping, security, social worker and computer technician workers with lower-paid private workers.” [Isthmus, 11/20/2009]