Most Assembly Republicans want Wisconsin to mete out delays statewide and not spare the massive Zoo Interchange reconstruction project in Milwaukee.
On Monday, 33 of 63 GOP representatives put their demands in a letter Monday to Gov. Walker and Republican legislative leaders. The 33, who represent rural and out-state districts, say they want to rein in spending on transportation until the state has the money but want any resulting delays to affect all corners of Wisconsin.
GOP leaders do not want to borrow $1.3 billion, as Gov. Walker has proposed to keep transportation projects on schedule, so talk seems to have focused on delaying projects, including those already underway.
"The discussion of excluding the Southeast Megaprojects (including the Zoo Interchange) from any cuts or timeline delays would disproportionately affect our constituents and taxpayers outside of the Milwaukee area. As you know, safe and reliable transportation infrastructure is critical for commerce and safety across Wisconsin. We cannot allow a singular focus on Milwaukee to bring detrimental effects to industry, tourism, and ultimately to the taxpayers of Wisconsin," the letter reads, in part.
The letter comes on the day that GOP legislative leaders plan to meet behind closed doors again, to iron out how to lower borrowing for roads from $1.3 billion to $500 million. According to Monday's letter, Wisconsin now spends 17-cents of every DOT dollar paying debt, while the governor's budget would push up the rate to 25-cents per dollar.
In dueling press releases a few Republican leaders issued last week, it appeared some Assembly members had been considering a boost in the gas tax or vehicle registration fees, to keep transportation projects on schedule. Assembly leaders denied those reports, saying Gov. Walker has made it clear he will not approve a boost in taxes.
Transportation spending has one of the final obstacles to the budget committee finalizing its work on the state's proposed budget for 2015-2017. The last time the committee met was in late May.