Walker Says Increases In State Transportation Aid Should Help Fix Roads

Gov. Scott Walker says additional state aid that was given to local governments last year should be helping patch potholes.

During Bike to Work Week, bicycle advocates and others have said more state money needs to be steered toward repairs on existing roads. Walker says the state is trying to help local crews fix potholes and other problems.

“We gave local governments the 4 percent increase last year in state transportation funds,” said Walker. “So from my standpoint, I think that’s a pretty substantial increase from where they’ve been at in the past.”

Walker also says his administration has halted other state agencies from being able to tap into the transportation fund.

He says off the top of his head, he can’t remember the cuts in pedestrian and bike safety programs that Democrats complain Walker made. Walker currently has state Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb holding town hall meetings on transportation needs and funding.

“In the next budget, maybe we’ll have a hybrid of a sales tax and a gas tax, without raising the overall tax curve, but just having a long-term way of having a broader base,” said Walker.

The final two meetings of the state’s Transportation Moves Wisconsin tour are next Tuesday in West Allis and Wednesday in Kenosha.