NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon with business leaders in the Fox Valley regarding the push to keep major highway projects on time.
Joint Finance Committee co-chair, Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette), says his office received a request Monday for the committee to release $200 million in increased bonding this budget year. Currently, the budget panel can issue up to $200 million this year and $150 million next year.
Assembly Republicans have indicated that they’ve wanted to hold a meeting on the request from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. But Senate Republicans on the committee have expressed resistance to approve additional borrowing.
Nygren tells FOX 11 that he believe the Joint Finance Committee could meet within the next few weeks after receiving the DOT request. That would be the first step, with the second step getting the votes to approve the bonding.
The other JFC co-chair, Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), said back on October 8, “Well right now we’re looking for a solution that will be in the best benefit of our taxpayers and the safety of our state, so stay tuned and we’ll let you know.”
Last month, the DOT announced that work on the Highway 10/441 interchange project will be stretched out until 2022 because of a lack of funds. Also, work on Highway 15 near New London and Highway 23 between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan will be pushed back 2 years.
Gov. Walker has said that completing these projects on time is vital to growing the state’s economy. Local leaders also have safety concerns about delaying the projects and keeping orange barrels and workers on the roads longer.
