By Brian Gray
bgray@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - The Green County Board of Supervisors joined other counties in voicing opposition to the way the state Legislature uses gasoline tax and vehicle registration revenue Tuesday.
The board approved a resolution for a Nov. 2 statewide non-binding referendum that would suggest the state use money collected from gas taxes and vehicle registrations solely for the state's transportation fund.
The resolution passed by a 27-4 vote. Supervisors Jerry Guth, John Glynn, Joe Cousin and Tim Davis voted against the resolution.
The resolution is advisory and will let the Legislature know what counties think about the state's use of gas tax money and vehicle registrations for projects other than highways and road maintenance and repair.
According to the resolution, which will be taken up by the other counties in Wisconsin, over the past decade the state has reduced the amount of money collected by approximately $400,000.
The resolution, which was prepared by the Wisconsin Counties Association, said the state has "eroded the public's confidence that the 'user fees' they pay will be used for their intended purposes."
"The state needs more maintenance dollars than what they spend," said Dallas Cecil, Green County highway commissioner.
He said there are highways in the county that need to be repaired.
Guth questioned the need for the resolution.
"I think any changes should be done by the Legislature," he said.
Glynn and Davis also questioned the need for the referendum.
Board Chairman Art Carter said the referendum was needed because legislators haven't addressed the problem.
"I don't think they have the fortitude to do it," he said. "They don't have the fortitude to stand up and make the right decision."
bgray@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - The Green County Board of Supervisors joined other counties in voicing opposition to the way the state Legislature uses gasoline tax and vehicle registration revenue Tuesday.
The board approved a resolution for a Nov. 2 statewide non-binding referendum that would suggest the state use money collected from gas taxes and vehicle registrations solely for the state's transportation fund.
The resolution passed by a 27-4 vote. Supervisors Jerry Guth, John Glynn, Joe Cousin and Tim Davis voted against the resolution.
The resolution is advisory and will let the Legislature know what counties think about the state's use of gas tax money and vehicle registrations for projects other than highways and road maintenance and repair.
According to the resolution, which will be taken up by the other counties in Wisconsin, over the past decade the state has reduced the amount of money collected by approximately $400,000.
The resolution, which was prepared by the Wisconsin Counties Association, said the state has "eroded the public's confidence that the 'user fees' they pay will be used for their intended purposes."
"The state needs more maintenance dollars than what they spend," said Dallas Cecil, Green County highway commissioner.
He said there are highways in the county that need to be repaired.
Guth questioned the need for the resolution.
"I think any changes should be done by the Legislature," he said.
Glynn and Davis also questioned the need for the referendum.
Board Chairman Art Carter said the referendum was needed because legislators haven't addressed the problem.
"I don't think they have the fortitude to do it," he said. "They don't have the fortitude to stand up and make the right decision."