November 5, 2026
By Lane Kimble
Bob Dylan presciently seemed to speak to our industry 62 years ago when he sang:
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’
(OK, the “old road” part was a metaphor, but it still applies…)
Tuesday’s Midterm elections brought sweeping change to the state Capitol with the selection of the first Black governor in state history, Democrats fully in control of the Legislature for the first time in 16 years, and a combined 25 new state Senators and Assembly representatives ready to take office.
“Administrations change, majorities change, but WTBA’s agenda and mission stay constant,” WTBA Executive Director Steve Baas said. “We must develop and support sufficient, sustainable funding to build a transportation system capable of fueling a vibrant Wisconsin economy.”
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s 54-46% win over Congressman Tom Tiffany was arguably the biggest headline in Wisconsin on a night that saw Democrats surge locally and nationally.
During his victory speech Tuesday, Crowley snagged a phrase from outgoing Gov. Tony Evers when he briefly mentioned transportation as one of his top priorities.
“There’s no time to waste on culture wars that make for great Instagram clips but lousy government.
There’s only room for the work: fixing the damn roads, funding the schools, keeping our communities safe and bringing down your monthly bills,” Crowley said during his victory speech.
“In a state like ours, the voters keep everybody honest. And tonight, they told all of us in both parties, we are sending you to Madison to get something done.
Now go do it.”
Crowley will work with a state Senate that went through a majority party flip-flop, as Democrats took an 18-15 advantage in the chamber.
Notably, current Joint Finance Committee Co-Chair Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) lost his reelection bid to Rep. Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon). Current Transportation and Local Government Committee chair Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R-Mosinee) won his race.
Democrats also took a 53-46 advantage in the state Assembly, where there will be 18 new members come January. Current Transportation Committee chair Rep. Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah) easily won reelection in her district.
However, with the change in party leadership and a new session on the horizon, committee appointments will also look very different in 2027. Democrats will hold chair positions and numerical advantages on the budget-writing JFC and both chambers’ transportation committees.
Where will transportation fall in their list of priorities? Party leaders didn’t talk much about roads during their post-election interviews, instead saying their focus is on school funding, affordability, abortion rights, and possibly even legalizing marijuana.
The new Legislature and governor’s first major task after they’re sworn in on January 4, 2027 will be tackling the 2027-29 state budget. Governors typically share their budget plans in late-February of odd-numbered years.
WTBA will continue its work that began during the campaign season to educate current and incoming lawmakers on the importance of a long-term transportation funding plan.
Current WTBA projections show the state facing a more than $1 billion transportation funding shortfall just to keep current projects and maintenance on track.
