Lane Kimble

WTBA members shine in face-to-face Capitol visits, bringing transportation funding focus front and center for lawmakers

May 2, 2025 by Lane Kimble

MADISON, Wis. — You don’t simply walk into the state Capitol to talk with lawmakers without some planning and preparation.

Thankfully, Zach Dittberner had plenty of both as he rode an elevator to the third floor Wednesday morning.

“Coming from a guy in a small town, I don’t like to dress up, I don’t necessarily love to be here,” Dittberner said, admitting to being a little anxious. “But there was great preparation from Elise (Nelson) and Steve (Baas) and also Kevin (Traas) prior to coming here. It gets you less nervous, it gets you out there, and makes it more enjoyable.”

What did Zach and about two dozen WTBA members have to be nervous about?

How about advocating for a critical statewide industry, knowing there are billions of dollars, tens of thousands of jobs, and a looming funding shortfall all at stake in this and upcoming budget cycles?

Yeah, there might be some pressure there.

But WTBA staff meticulously planned for the association’s “Day at the Capitol,” putting WTBA of Tomorrow council members through a full day of education and insights into the 2025-27 budget process a few weeks ago, followed by a morning refresher and prep session Wednesday. Members then divided into teams for seven separate in-office visits.

State Rep. Alex Dallman (R-Green Lake), who sits on the state’s budget-writing committee, appreciated that dedication.

“The members that met with me today are obviously very passionate,” Dallman said. “They know they’re providing a great service here for the state and for our local community members. They have a wonderful team (in WTBA staff) and they definitely keep us educated on what we’re trying to do.”

WTBA members also visited senators Patrick Testin, Eric Wimberger, and Julian Bradley and representatives Shannon Zimmerman, Jessie Rodriguez, and Karen Hurd in addition to stopping by their hometown lawmakers’ offices.

Rep. Dallman says investing in roads and infrastructure is something lawmakers absolutely must continue to do and meetings like these go a long way toward reinforcing that.

The day also reinforced a notion in Zach Dittberner: this was a pretty cool experience.

“How often does anybody get to go in a back room where there’s an office?” Dittberner pondered. “I mean, you see the Capitol, you see how beautiful it is, but you don’t get to go sit in an office and have people actually hear you out, so that is very rewarding.”

Associate Council brainstorms ways to better connect members, add new event opportunities

May 2, 2025 by Lane Kimble

The WTBA Associate Council can’t claim the US Postal Service (or any ancient Greek historians) as a member yet. But “neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night” keeps the Council from gathering.

The Associates held their quarterly meeting on a rain-soaked and cold Thursday morning at Bishop’s Bay Country Club. The dual-purpose meetings typically include a focused agenda, lunch, and an afternoon bonding event.

There would be no golf at the beautiful Madison-area course this week due to that weather, but plenty of work and good discussions made the meeting well worth the time.

WTBA Director of Government Affairs Elise Nelson, who oversees the Council, provided an update on the state’s budget process, the association’s “Day at the Capitol,” and a host of legislation WTBA staff is working to pass this session.

The meeting also included discussions on ways to better connect with contractor and consultant members, coordinating unique new events and outings, and additional opportunities to further unify the industry.

A first in decades: House T&I Committee approves potential Highway Trust Fund support through EV fees

May 2, 2025 by Lane Kimble

The federal Highway Trust Fund could get its most significant shot in the arm in recent history if newly approved legislation becomes law,

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted Wednesday to pass a reconciliation budget package that includes boosted registration fees on electric and hybrid vehicles, ARTBA reports.

The legislation would collect $250 per EV registration and $100 per hybrid registration on top of what states already collect for their own coffers. Registration would not increase on traditional gas-powered vehicles, despite an initial suggestion for $20 increases on those cars and trucks.

The motion passed with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats on the committee voting against.

The funding would provide the Highway Trust Fund, which provides billions of dollars to states for road and infrastructure projects each year, with its first user-fee revenue increase in more than 20 years.

The deal is far from finished, however, with the T&I Committee’s package needing to be reconciled into other committees’ bills and signed by President Trump. That could happen in late spring or early summer, ARTBA says.

Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship program breaks enrollment record for fourth-straight year

May 2, 2025 by Lane Kimble

Wisconsin’s youth apprenticeship program seems to live by the mantra “records are made to be broken.”

For the fourth year in a row, the state’s program surpassed the previous year’s high registration numbers. Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Workforce Development announced Wednesday there were 11,344 high school students enrolled in a youth apprenticeship program during the 2024-25 school year, which is a 14% increase over 2023-24.

More than 12% of those students are enrolled in a construction or architecture-related field.

“Wisconsin’s apprenticeship system has become more connected as employers and participants recognize the opportunities our programs offer together,” said DWD’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Director David Polk.

“Schools, employers, and local YA consortiums are preparing youth apprentices for the next step, whether that’s registered apprenticeship, higher education, or standard employment.”

Youth Apprenticeship in Wisconsin allows high school juniors and seniors to work paying jobs in an industry of choice while earning their degrees. Nearly 7,500 employers across the state participate.