So the proponents of Wisconsin state referendum question #1, a constitutional amendment to protect the transportation fund, put out a video to convince the public why the measure is in their interests. If you go to the section on what people want their transportation money spent on, you see:
- Repair the streets.
- Improving quality of some of the roads.
- Walking
- Bike trails
- public transportation
- roads, bike paths
- light rail.
- roads, streetlights.
- no roundabouts.
- transportation outside city
- repaving potholes.
- park-n-rides
- light rail, heavy rail. European amenities.
- Fix roads, buses,
This list sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Notice how little mention there is of “capacity expansion” or “congestion relief” in the video?
If you compare that list to WISDOT’s goals as outlined in their latest budget request, you notice a bit of a difference. Mass transit’s primary objective is to meet “cost efficiency” goals. There is no talk about bringing high-quality transit to a higher percentage of people. While there is some talk of local road aids and improving conditions, in terms of the growth areas, it turns out “delay reduction” is the big winner in the next budget. And what does delay reduction usually mean? “capacity expansion. So much for Governor Walker’s WISDOT delivering what people want.
But what if Mary Burke wins the Governor’s race. Will she be able to turn the tide? That is not likely, given that a Republican dominated legislature seems to believe that transit is a social program, and that urban areas are a net drain on the state.
So vote however you want on the constitutional amendment to protect the transportation fund. Just know that the protected money won’t be going where you want it to.
Follow me on twitter: @FLTranspoDesk
Got a transportation story I should cover? Send it to me!
