Finance Committee tweaks Walker's plan to spend greater-than-expected federal transpo funds

The Joint Finance Committee tweaked Gov. Scott Walker’s plan for a boost in federal highway aids, putting more of the money toward fixing Wisconsin’s deteriorating bridges and less into knocking out I-94 north-south to, at least partially, benefit the Foxconn plant in Racine County.

The discussion turned into a rehash of the long-running debate over transportation funding, the quality of Wisconsin’s roads and GOP priorities for highways. Dems also continued to slam Foxconn, portraying the move to direct money to I-94 as another cost to taxpayers to help the foreign corporation.

GOP Sen. Howard Marklein, a top Dem target this fall, split with his Republican colleagues and opposed their motion to revamp how the money will be spent as the proposal cleared JFC 10-5. He joined Dems in support of their motion, which sought to redirect funds away from I-94, complaining Foxconn is already getting enough from state taxpayers.

Putting more tax dollars into the project means continuing to ignore the deteriorating local roads, Dems argued. Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, said the additional federal money ultimately comes from taxpayers across the state.

Read more: https://www.wispolitics.com/2018/finance-committee-tweaks-walkers-plan-to-spend-greater-than-expected-federal-transpo-funds/