Republicans threaten to nix Scott Walker’s road-building plan

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says Republicans are discussing delaying $1.3 billion worth of highway construction projects across Wisconsin since Gov. Scott Walker is unwilling to raises taxes or fees to pay for it.

Vos’ remarks come in the wake of a federal court ruling that halted U.S. funding for an expansion of Highway 23 between Fond du Lac and Plymouth. The court found that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation inflated traffic projections used to justify the construction.

Steve Hiniker, executive director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, a land-use watchdog group, has called for a moratorium on all major roadway projects in the state until traffic projections can be audited.  His group has found that the vast majority of highway construction projects in the state are based on overblown data in what is perhaps a strategy to keep construction companies at work.

Highway builders are among the most generous campaign donors to both major parties.

Vos said Wednesday that Republicans are talking about not doing any of the additional borrowing Walker asked for in his budget to pay for roads projects.

Other Republicans have talked about lowering the amount of bonding by between $300 million and $800 million.

Vos says, “Maybe there should be no new bonding. Maybe that’s one option.”

Walker has repeatedly said he won’t approve a gas tax increase or higher vehicle registration fees. Vos has said higher fees should be considered.

Transportation funding is one of the last unsolved pieces of the budget.