From Ed Francois
Belleville
On Nov. 2, voters in this county and 52 other counties across the state will have a chance to say yes or no to the following question: Should the Wisconsin Constitution be amended to prohibit any further transfers or lapses from the segregated transportation fund?
I believe the best answer to this question is yes.
Money in the transportation fund comes mostly from the gas tax that we all pay at the pump and from vehicle registration fees. It is supposed to be used to fund transportation programs and projects. Yet in recent years, some $1.3 billion has been diverted from the transportation fund to the state's general fund in an attempt to "balance" Wisconsin's overall budget.
The results have not been pretty. The state's general fund is facing yet another shortfall. Transportation infrastructure vital to industry, agriculture, tourism and other sectors of our economy has been underfunded. And the state's bond rating has suffered a serious hit, because this type of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is not seen as sound fiscal policy by national rating institutions.
While I don't take amending our state's constitution lightly - and I don't know anyone who would - it is the best way to make sure transportation money will be used for transportation programs. So I urge you to vote yes on the transportation fund advisory referendum and send a message to legislators in Madison that you want Wisconsin to return to responsible budgeting practices and protect the transportation fund.
Belleville
On Nov. 2, voters in this county and 52 other counties across the state will have a chance to say yes or no to the following question: Should the Wisconsin Constitution be amended to prohibit any further transfers or lapses from the segregated transportation fund?
I believe the best answer to this question is yes.
Money in the transportation fund comes mostly from the gas tax that we all pay at the pump and from vehicle registration fees. It is supposed to be used to fund transportation programs and projects. Yet in recent years, some $1.3 billion has been diverted from the transportation fund to the state's general fund in an attempt to "balance" Wisconsin's overall budget.
The results have not been pretty. The state's general fund is facing yet another shortfall. Transportation infrastructure vital to industry, agriculture, tourism and other sectors of our economy has been underfunded. And the state's bond rating has suffered a serious hit, because this type of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is not seen as sound fiscal policy by national rating institutions.
While I don't take amending our state's constitution lightly - and I don't know anyone who would - it is the best way to make sure transportation money will be used for transportation programs. So I urge you to vote yes on the transportation fund advisory referendum and send a message to legislators in Madison that you want Wisconsin to return to responsible budgeting practices and protect the transportation fund.
