Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker proposed a major investment ($1.3 billion) in road construction to help preserve and fix the state’s decaying roadways.
Growing consensus means republicans and democrats alike recognize the severity of the state’s road system but still question Walker’s funding strategy outlined in the budget.
The governor has opted not to raise taxes in favor of a borrowing plan for his 2015-2017 proposed budge; a move that might keep Walker in good standing for a possible 2016 presidential bid.
The borrowing plan may have been criticized, but Walker has received crucial support from major state decision makers. Wisconsin State Senator Luther Olson and Department of Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb who believe the bonding plan is necessary.
"We are in a crisis," said Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon in front of the budget committee Wednesday. "We are getting ourselves in a corner where we won't be able to afford anything. We will be paying for projects that are already done. As much as we don't like raising revenue, when we have an asset in the state of Wisconsin that is so important ... we have to man up and woman up and say we have to deal with this."
