Environmental Group Encourages Republicans To Cut Borrowing For Transportation Budget

The environmental group 1000 Friends of Wisconsin says it would be welcome news if Republican lawmakers follow through with plans to cut $800 million in borrowing from Gov. Scott Walker’s transportation budget.

After Walker ruled out fee increases to reduce borrowing, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said lawmakers would have to cut or delay road projects instead. Vos said projects all over the state could be affected by such a move, including the expansion of Interstate 90 near Janesville and Interstate 94 between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Steve Hiniker, who heads 1000 Friends, said that would be a “very good decision.”

“This has been a long time coming, but it’s certainly welcome news, because we think many of those projects would result in over-building,” said Hiniker.

Hiniker said he wouldn’t favor delaying projects where construction is already underway. He said if the state spends less on new highways, it would have more to spend on local roads in dire need of repair.