In Case You Missed It: TDA Budget Update #1

Governor Evers released his 2025-27 budget proposal last week.

Highlights include:

• More than $400 million in new revenue
• Significant projects moving forward, including I-41, I-94 East-West and I-39/90/94 from Madison to the Dells
• Investment in local roads – (LRIP-S) and ARIP
• Other modal investments

See TDA's summary here. And listen to the TDA On The Go podcast about the governor's budget here.

Earlier this month, the Evers Administration awarded the second round of projects for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP), $100 million for 55 projects in 36 counties.

The 2023-25 biennium budget established ARIP to improve access to agricultural lands or facilities​ use​d to produce agricultural goods, including forest products, providing a one-time segregated revenue (SEG) funding of $150 million to ​enhance roads, bridges, and culverts in Wisconsin's more rural communities.​

The administration announced the first round of projects in July 2024, with nearly $50 million awarded to support 37 projects across 28 counties. 

Governor Evers recommended $50 million for ARIP funding in his 2025-2027 budget proposal.

As February comes to a close, there are about two weeks for Congress to pass 12 appropriations bills in advance of the current continuing resolution’s (CR) expiration on March 14.

However, Congress has still not reached a topline budget agreement on how much money to appropriate overall, making it unlikely Congress can get all the bills negotiated, drafted, and passed by March 14. If Congress can’t pass the bills by the deadline, it will need to pass another short-term patch to avoid a partial government shutdown.

In the last session, Republicans relied on Democratic support to pass a series of CRs to keep the existing spending in place, giving Congress time to work out a new deal. Democrats angered by the Trump administration’s slashing of government spending and mass layoffs and questioning if the administration will stand by any spending deal may be hesitant to do so again.

According to prior American Road & Transportation Builders Association communications, the Highway Trust Fund (the source of federal highway and transit program funding) largely insulates most federally supported transportation construction programs during a shutdown.

Negotiations on the CR are occurring while House and Senate Republicans work on a consensus budget resolution that could become a filibuster-proof reconciliation vehicle to forward the administration’s agenda of increasing spending for immigration enforcement, energy production, and the military, cutting in other areas, tax cuts, and raising the debt ceiling. 

In a Feb. 26 letter, twenty-six national associations and labor unions called on Congress to pass a national electric vehicle (EV) user fee, dedicating the dollars to the Highway Trust Fund.  

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) have introduced legislation to create a national fee to bring parity for EVs with gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.

The letter also calls on Congress to reject any efforts to reduce or eliminate existing user fees for motor vehicles.

Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) suspended the electric vehicle (EV) charging network program by rescinding all guidance related to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. According to the FHWA letter, the goal is to align the new guidance with “current U.S. DOT policy and priorities.” The FHWA plans to publish new guidance for public comment this spring.

In addition, the FHWA suspended the approval of all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans for all fiscal years, aiming to claw back any unobligated funds. In the same letter, FHWA concluded, “Therefore, effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program until the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance is issued and new State plans are submitted and approved.”

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – created the $5 billion NEVI program to fill holes in the national EV charging network.

Eno Center for Transportation, an independent, non-partisan multi-modal transportation think-tank, makes a distinction between the slow walking of future funds with the reissuance of guidance and requiring new state plans, which may be legal, and recalling funds that states were previously approved to obligate.

Add this program to a list of items a federal court will likely have to adjudicate.

Early this year, Governor Evers and WisDOT celebrated the opening of Wisconsin's first NEVI-funded EV charging stations.

TDA On the Go Podcast: It's Budget Season!

Governor Tony Evers has submitted his 2025-27 State Budget proposal. TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson sits down with strategic communications consultant Brian Fraley, the president of Edge Messaging, to discuss what’s in the proposal, why it matters, and what’s next. The two also discuss the significant impact individuals can have on the budget process. 

Listen to this episode of the TDA On The Go Podcast now.

Reflections on a New TDA Vehicle & Funding

Have you bought a new vehicle recently? Chances are good, it's more fuel efficient than the car you are replacing. 

Read TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson's latest article – Are We Getting What We Pay For?

Read more.

February Project Spotlight

I-39/90/94 on track for next major step

Governor Evers recently delivered his 2025-27 budget proposal, including the enumeration of the I-39/90/94 corridor from the Beltline in Madison through Wisconsin Dells. According to the Budget in Brief, the Major Highway Development Program includes funding to "start work on the I-39-90-94 expansion."

Inclusion in the governor's budget is significant progress for the project. However, legislative leaders have already said the legislature will craft its own budget. Project advocates are working to ensure this vital project makes it into the final 2025-27 budget. 

Read more.

Help us tell your story!

We’ve launched a user-friendly portal where you can upload an image and a few basic details. Our team can then write a short narrative that captures the significance of the projects in your part of the state.  

Portal link

TDA Fly-in April 2, 3

Join TDA in Washington, D.C., for an exceptional opportunity to learn about the federal process, advocate for local projects, meet with Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, and network with transportation leaders from around the state.

Registration

Event registration is open. Click here for a downloadable registration form or here to register online.

The deadline to register is Friday, March 21.

If you have any questions, please contact Luke Pearson at Luke.Pearson@tdawisconsin.org.

Thank you for being a valued member and partner. Your involvement in TDA makes a difference, and we hope you will continue your support.

TDA emailed this year’s renewal invoices on Jan. 9 and sent a friendly reminder this week.

If you can’t find the email or need assistance, please get in touch with Luke Pearson at luke.pearson@tdawisconsin.org or 608-661-0916.

We much appreciate those of you who have already renewed.

Sponsorship opportunities for this year remain available. The support of our sponsors helps TDA provide valuable, informative programming. 

If you'd like to be a 2025 organizational or event sponsor, click here for more information.

TDA Events

• Washington DC Fly-in, April 2-3
• Madison Drive-in, May 20
• Annual Meeting, Nov. 13

Upcoming Events

The Construction Business Group Conference will take place April 23-24 at the Madison Club.

This event features an amazing lineup of speakers and topics, with multiple socialization opportunities. Attendees of the conference include building trade professionals, contractor association staff, contractor executives, utility representatives, and government officials.

More details and registration information are available here.

If you would like TDA to consider including your organization's update or event in an upcoming newsletter, please forward information to Luke Pearson at luke.pearson@tdawisconsin.org.