Group Representing Elderly Expresses Concern Over Proposed Transportation Budget

The proposed Department of Transportation budget has already received a lot of flak for provisions like suggested fees on hybrid cars and an increase in the gas tax. Now, a group that advocates for the elderly is saying that the proposal doesn’t include enough funding for a transportation assistance program.

Gov. Scott Walker has urged more employment opportunities for people with disabilities, but groups like the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources say the DOT budget could hinder that initiative. Janet Zander with GWAAR said the the budget’s proposed 1 percent increase in transportation assistance for the elderly and disabled is not enough, given the governor’s initiative for the disabled and the state’s graying population.

“If we’re going to have this statewide initiative to have people with disabilities obtain competitive employment, they’re going to have to get to work,” she said.

GWAAR and other groups in the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network are also concerned about a proposal to use general purpose revenue to fund transportation.