State Budget Negotiations Hit Transportation Spending Roadblock

Negotiations over the Wisconsin budget hit a wall Tuesday, making it unlikely a new budget will be in place by the start of the fiscal year beginning July 1.

After a morning meeting with legislative leaders, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, told reporters he remains opposed to the levels of borrowing for road projects supported by senate Republicans and Gov. Scott Walker.

The governor proposed $500 million in borrowing for roads in his budget plan. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald’s office said the Senate backs $850 million in new debt to support transportation funding.

“If we decide to go once again with adding $850 million of borrowing to our kids’ futures, it doesn’t solve the problem, it just pushes it down the road two more years,” Vos said Tuesday.

Shortly after, Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, told reporters the Assembly’s budget position is “laughable.” The Assembly supports considering new taxes or fees to pay for roads.

Vos pushed back on Fitzgerald’s characterization.

“The only laughable position is to say that borrowing and spending is what Republicans do in this budget,” Vos said.

Vos said the Assembly can’t support certain levels of bonding without a longterm solution to pay for roads.

The state budget deadline is June 30. If lawmakers pass the deadline, the current budget will remain in effect until a new one is approved.