Amid calls from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and others for dramatic increases to the state gas tax, Governor Scott Walker took yet another stand for Wisconsin taxpayers this week by keeping his promise that the 2017-2019 budget will not raise taxes or fees on hardworking families. His plan would lower the level of borrowing for the Department of Transportation to the lowest since 2001 and ensure projects are completed in a fiscally responsible way.
As we noted several weeks ago, it would require a significant increase to the gas tax to create the necessary revenue for transportation funding. In fact, Wisconsin’s highway spending is already higher than most of its neighboring states, and there are more than 300 road construction projects scheduled for completion this year alone.
We encourage the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate to stand with Governor Walker in opposition to further tax increases.