Legislative Republicans vote to expand I-94 west of downtown Milwaukee and to cut transit funding

MADISON – The Legislature’s budget committee late Tuesday approved rebuilding I-94 west of downtown Milwaukee, called for slashing state funding for transit in Milwaukee and Madison and agreed to let teenagers get driver's licenses without having to take tests at Division of Motor Vehicles centers. 

Republicans said cutting state funding for transit programs in half in Milwaukee and Madison was in order because they are receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid because of the coronavirus pandemic. They did not cut transit programs in other cities that are receiving additional federal aid.

The Joint Finance Committee adopted the transportation plan 11-4, with all Republicans for it and all Democrats against it.

Despite Tuesday's lopsided vote, rebuilding I-94 has proven to be one of the few ideas in the state budget to enjoy bipartisan support.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has long called for restarting the project, which Republican Scott Walker called off 3½ years ago when he was governor. Republicans who control the budget committee on Tuesday got on board with his plan, which would allow construction to start in a couple of years. 

The job is expected to cost more than $1.1 billion. The state would put $82 million in state and federal funding toward the project over the next two years for planning and preparation.

The committee approved the proposal hours after learning the state would take in $4.4 billion more over three years than earlier projected. 

Republicans used some of that newfound money for roads.

Transportation projects are typically funded with gas taxes and vehicle registration fees, but collections of those funds have been down because vehicle and gasoline purchases dropped during the coronavirus pandemic. 

To alleviate that funding problem, the Republicans agreed to put $200 million from income taxes and sales taxes toward transportation. 

On-again, off-again project gains momentum

Evers and Republicans alike have called for rebuilding I-94 between 16th and 70th streets in Milwaukee — the busy stretch between the Marquette and Zoo interchanges. Evers' Department of Transportation has recommended widening that section from six lanes to eight, which has drawn opposition from neighbors, environmental groups and Evers' lieutenant governor, Mandela Barnes.

Business groups have said the project is essential to the area's economy.

The DOT in April announced it would perform a more extensive review of the project, which would put off construction by at least a year. The soonest the project could begin is late 2022.

Other projects in the mix

Republicans agreed to spend $565.6 million on other massive projects, with most of that funding going toward the expansion of I-43 in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties. 

Like Evers, the committee backed spending about $2 billion in state and federal funds over two years on reconstructing, reconditioning and resurfacing highways. 

Under the plan adopted Tuesday, the state would spend $1 million on fencing on the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee to prevent ice, tires, auto parts and other debris from falling onto the Summerfest grounds and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District buildings.

Ending driving tests for teens

During the pandemic, the Evers administration allowed teenagers to get their driver’s licenses without taking a driving test at a DMV center. Republicans joined a proposal by Evers to make that policy permanent.

The driving tests would not be required for those under 18 who have held a driver’s permit for at least six months, have completed a driver’s education course, have not been convicted of a moving violation in the previous six months and have their parents’ permission to forgo the test. They would have to pay a $15 fee to have the test waived.

More aid for local governments, cuts for transit

The committee backed Evers' plan to provide local governments with an additional $19.1 million over two years to repair their roads. That would be enough to provide them with a 2% increase in transportation funding in each of the next two years.

In addition, Republicans agreed to provide $100 million over two years under a separate program to help local governments with transportation projects. 

The committee's plan would cut in half funding for the transit systems in Milwaukee and Madison, the state's two largest cities. That would reduce their funding over two years by $41.3 million. 

Milwaukee County's transit system is receiving more than $215 million in COVID-19 aid and Madison's is receiving about $70 million. 

Other transit systems, including those in Green Bay and Appleton, are also receiving an influx of federal aid because of COVID-19. Republicans did not vote to cut aid for those communities. 

Body cameras for state troopers

The committee approved spending $700,000 to equip State Patrol troopers with body cameras.

In recent weeks the committee also provided funding for body cameras for Department of Natural Resources wardens but not for Capitol Police officers who protect the state Capitol.

Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.