August 2018 News & JFI Update  8/31/2018
Just Fix It Update
Wisconsin DOT report shows total transportation funding has fallen under Scott Walker

The Cap Times
August 29, 2018

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that total funding across all state transportation programs has fallen since Gov. Scott Walker took office in 2011, despite statements Walker has made insisting he has made historic investments.

According to a DOT report on 2018-2019 budget trends released last week, spending has fallen across every road program, including major highway development, local road aid and assistance and southeast Wisconsin freeways, which saw the most dramatic decline. 

From fiscal year 2011-2012, funding for major highway development decreased by 31.2 percent, highway improvement funding fell by 23.8 percent and local road funding fell 13.4 percent in constant 2017 dollars. Funding for southeast freeways dropped by 51.1 percent.

Debt service on transportation borrowing has increased 66.9 percent since fiscal year 20121-12, according to the report.

Scott Walker declares Zoo Interchange is done, even as years of work remain

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
August 28, 2018

Gov. Scott Walker is doing the construction equivalent of moving the goalposts — except, in this case, they're orange traffic barrels. 

Walker on Monday celebrated the completion of the core of the Zoo Interchange, even though work on the interchange's north leg is behind schedule. The overall construction project has for years tormented Milwaukee-area commuters.

“The Zoo Interchange Core is completed on time and on budget,” the GOP governor said in a statement. 

There was even a "Zoo Interchange Core completion ceremony," where Walker cut a red ribbon with giant scissors.

Trouble is, the Zoo Interchange project remains unfinished and the price tag for the north leg recently went up.

August Case Studies

TDA is continuing to release case studies to the legislature and media to highlight projects and policy issues.


If you have an idea for a case study, please contact the TDA office.
Other News
96% of State Lawmakers Who Voted for Gas Tax Increase Win '18 Primaries

Analysis from the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center shows:

Ninety-six percent of state lawmakers who voted in favor of a gas tax increase and faced reelection in 2018 primaries will advance to the Nov. 6 general election, reinforcing earlier findings that showed the decision to vote for legislation to increase a state gas tax has little impact on re-election rates.

The 2018 primaries saw 802 legislators who voted on gas tax increase legislation from 12 states run for reelection. Of those lawmakers, 558 voted in favor of a gas tax increase and ran for reelection, with 536—or 96 percent—advancing on to November’s general election.

Association News
Save these Dates

2018 fall forums (open to all, information coming soon) :
  • September 25, 2018 - 1:15 PM, the La Crosse Center at the conclusion of the Wisconsin Counties Association Annual Conference
  • October 2, 2018 - 11 AM at the DJ Bordini Center in Appleton
  • October 16, 2018 - 2:30 PM, Holiday Inn in Stevens Point right after the Wisconsin Towns Association Convention
  • October 26, 2018 - luncheon at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells following the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Annual Conference
2018 Annual Meeting : Wednesday, November 14