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December 2016 News & JFI Update
12/20/2016
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Transportation Hearing Highlights the High Cost of Doing Nothing
The December 6th Assembly Transportation Committee hearing on the governor-directed 2017-19 WisDOT budget was widely covered in the press.
Secretary Gottlieb kicked off the hearing with written testimony and then proceeded to answer previously submitted committee questions. In all, the secretary testified for over three hours.
Key points about the budget proposal brought to light by the secretary’s testimony include:
- The percent of roads in poor condition will double over the next decade – from 21% in 2018 to 42% in 2027.
- Given the proposed funding for the Southeast Freeways, reconstruction of these important corridors will not be complete for 70 years.
- Delayed reconstruction of the Southeast Freeways will put additional stress on the State Highway Rehabilitation Program as more and more money is spent on Band-Aids for these corridors which are on borrowed time.
- There will not be any new studies of major highway projects for 30 years.
In addition to the secretary, the marathon, invite-only committee hearing included testimony from many groups including: TDA, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association, Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Waukesha County Business Alliance, Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association and representatives from Wisconsin freight railroads.
Select hearing coverage
WisEYE: Assembly Committee on Transportation: WisDOT's budget proposal. Complete coverage of the event is on Wiseye.org under the All Recent Coverage, Committees. TDA's testimony is at 5:30.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Walker official predicts worsening roads, rising debt
Wisconsin State Journal: Transportation secretary on hot seat as Republicans clash on road funding
Wisconsin Public Radio: Republicans grill DOT secretary on Walker roads budget
WKOW (Madison): Lawmakers put WISDOT Secretary on the hot seat over road budget cuts, borrowing
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Speaker Vos Takes Ambulance Ride to Focus Attention on Roads
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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) released a transportation video entitled, Road Work Ahead, one day before the Assembly Transportation Committee held its informational hearing on the budget request from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
“If we don’t fix our roads, sometimes it could be a matter of life and death,” said Speaker Vos. “A Band-Aid approach will not work; Wisconsin needs a long-term, sustainable solution for transportation funding and all options should be the table.”
The video illustrates the impact bad roads have on emergency responders and ultimately, your family in an emergency. Speaker Vos has called on his legislative colleagues to take a similar trip with EMS around their districts.
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Other Recent Media Coverage (since last update)
Click here for a complete listing.
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Holiday Travel to Reach Highest Level on Record According to AAA
M
ore than 103 million Americans—the most on record—are expected to travel for the year-end holidays, according to AAA. This represents a 1.5 percent increase, or 1.5 million more people traveling, compared with last year. This comes despite one fewer travel day this holiday season. read more
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Federal Continuing Resolution Keeps Funds Flowing Through April 28th
Congress finished work Dec. 9 on a continuing resolution to keep most federal programs operating at fiscal 2016 levels through April 28. The measure was just in time to avoid a government shutdown that could have taken place starting December 10.
The measure’s passage means funding will continue to flow to state departments of transportation and transit agencies. However, scheduled funding hikes that were to begin Oct. 1 under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act that Congress authorized and funded last year will be delayed. read more
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Congress Passes Water Bill
The
Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which incorporates a Water Resources Development Act and water-related legislation, cleared Congress. It now awaits the President's signature.
The package authorizes approximately $10 billion in federal investment. Among the projects to receive funding under the act are stormwater management projects, initiatives to help develop alternative water supplies to deal with persistent drought, and over 30 port, levee and dam projects.
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Happy Holidays!
Warmest wishes for this holiday season & the new year.
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TDA Fly-in to Return in 2018
With a new administration coming to DC in 2017, there is increased demand for convention space next spring. This combined with a tight schedule of conflicting events has made securing hotel space during March or April really tough. And moving the event to May would bring the event squarely into the construction season and perhaps be a challenge for those involved with the 2017-2019 state budget process.
So TDA’s plan is to focus on state funding and the Just Fix It campaign in the first part of 2017, while we will begin planning the 2018 Fly-in. We will continue to monitor federal transportation issues and provide opportunities for members to provide input to our congressional delegation.
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Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin
10 East Doty Street, Suite 201 | Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-7044 | general@tdawisconsin.org
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