As I sit down to write this column, Wisconsin is at a budget stalemate. I have spent the last few weeks traveling the 51st Assembly District and I am frequently asked when the budget will be complete. As many of you know, transportation spending is the final subject to be agreed on. As the state continues to function under the previous budget, we are faced with the decision to either raise additional revenue to fund road projects or borrow more money.
This spring, my office mailed a survey to a large pool of constituents in the 51st Assembly District to measure the district's take on a number of important issues that would likely arise within the legislature this session. As these surveys came back, I made sure to pay special attention to two questions discussing our transportation fund. When asked what our top priorities should be in the budget, more than half of the responses listed funding transportation as one of their top three priorities. A second question asked each individual their preferred method for raising transportation revenue. A staggering 70 percent indicated they supported raising the gas tax, 44 percent supported an increase in the vehicle registration fee, and 31 percent would like to see tolls in Wisconsin. I believe there are two main takeaways from this data. Not only do Wisconsinites recognize that we're not keeping pace with our transportation budget, but they are willing to pay a little more to make sure the roads they drive on are safe.
Wisconsin has a transportation borrowing problem. According to a report by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the state will pay $357 million on transportation fund debt service in fiscal year 2017, up from $197 million in fiscal year 2011. To put this in perspective, in 2011, 11 percent of transportation revenue was used to pay interest on these bonds. This year, the state will pay close to 20 percent of transportation revenues to service our debt. This trend is unsustainable and the bill for this massive increase in debt service is footed by taxpayers. In order to fix our roads, we need to raise revenue, not put it on the credit card. Given the option to increase borrowing in my survey, only 8 percent of respondents selected this as an option they would approve of. It simply couldn't be any clearer.
Visiting with constituents in southwest Wisconsin, residents complain that the taxes and fees they are paying are going to projects in urban areas of the state and I agree. It certainly wouldn't be fair to further increase revenue just for it to end up being spent to fix Milwaukee's roads. Rural roads need just as much attention as those in our city centers.
While a compromise is sure to be struck, I will fight for an increase in revenue, not additional bonding. The voters have spoken, and it is my job to exercise their wishes in Madison. Safe roads cost money, and there is overwhelming support to raise revenue to build them. This is a problem we cannot continue to ignore.
- Rep. Todd Novak represents the 51st Assembly District. He can be reached at 608.266.7502 or email rep.novak@legis.wisconsin.gov
This spring, my office mailed a survey to a large pool of constituents in the 51st Assembly District to measure the district's take on a number of important issues that would likely arise within the legislature this session. As these surveys came back, I made sure to pay special attention to two questions discussing our transportation fund. When asked what our top priorities should be in the budget, more than half of the responses listed funding transportation as one of their top three priorities. A second question asked each individual their preferred method for raising transportation revenue. A staggering 70 percent indicated they supported raising the gas tax, 44 percent supported an increase in the vehicle registration fee, and 31 percent would like to see tolls in Wisconsin. I believe there are two main takeaways from this data. Not only do Wisconsinites recognize that we're not keeping pace with our transportation budget, but they are willing to pay a little more to make sure the roads they drive on are safe.
Wisconsin has a transportation borrowing problem. According to a report by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the state will pay $357 million on transportation fund debt service in fiscal year 2017, up from $197 million in fiscal year 2011. To put this in perspective, in 2011, 11 percent of transportation revenue was used to pay interest on these bonds. This year, the state will pay close to 20 percent of transportation revenues to service our debt. This trend is unsustainable and the bill for this massive increase in debt service is footed by taxpayers. In order to fix our roads, we need to raise revenue, not put it on the credit card. Given the option to increase borrowing in my survey, only 8 percent of respondents selected this as an option they would approve of. It simply couldn't be any clearer.
Visiting with constituents in southwest Wisconsin, residents complain that the taxes and fees they are paying are going to projects in urban areas of the state and I agree. It certainly wouldn't be fair to further increase revenue just for it to end up being spent to fix Milwaukee's roads. Rural roads need just as much attention as those in our city centers.
While a compromise is sure to be struck, I will fight for an increase in revenue, not additional bonding. The voters have spoken, and it is my job to exercise their wishes in Madison. Safe roads cost money, and there is overwhelming support to raise revenue to build them. This is a problem we cannot continue to ignore.
- Rep. Todd Novak represents the 51st Assembly District. He can be reached at 608.266.7502 or email rep.novak@legis.wisconsin.gov
