Search Results for: public-affairs
April 19, 2024
‘Enough is enough’: Sheriff pledges strict enforcement as state kicks off Work Zone Awareness Week
By Lane Kimble
WYOCENA, Wis. -- You could sense Columbia County Sheriff Roger Brandner’s frustration even as he walked up to the podium Monday morning. “Enough is enough,” Brandner said, with some exasperation in his voice. “This is…
Read MoreApril 12, 2024
REPORT: Statewide local road quality fell 7% since 2010; thoughtful investments needed
By Lane Kimble
The quality of Wisconsin’s more than 101,000 miles of local roads fell nearly 7% since 2010 and will likely get worse without measured and ongoing investments. The non-partisan Wisconsin Policy Forum detailed that notion in…
Read MoreMarch 23, 2024
Gov. Evers signs WTBA-backed EV, construction equipment sales tax bills
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Placing ink on paper, Gov. Tony Evers helped place a new revenue stream in the state’s Transportation Fund. Evers signed SB791 and SB792 in his Capitol office Wednesday morning, surrounded by stakeholders,…
Read MoreMarch 21, 2024
Baas, Nelson join WTBA members for ‘whirlwind’ D.C. Fly-In
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When you get the chance to bend the ear of Wisconsin’s political leaders and express the importance of transportation funding, you take it – even if that means traveling 700 miles. This…
Read MoreDecember 21, 2023
Leading the Charge: Bill to allow electricity sales, tax into Transportation Fund gets public hearing
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- In the not so distant future, you could pull up to a Kwik Trip (or any of the many fine fuel stations across Wisconsin) and notice a new price illuminated next to…
Read MoreDecember 19, 2023
Major Progress? TPC recommends two potential projects for study
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- For the first time in more than 10 years, the state Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) recommended two new potential Major projects for study. Wednesday, the TPC approved looking at expanding the US…
Read MoreDecember 7, 2023
Done Deal: Governor signs utility bill into law
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- It took all of 60 seconds. But in that brief period of time – including a few short comments, the stroke of a pen, and some handshakes – WTBA members could finally…
Read MoreNovember 6, 2023
MCC, Inc. recognized as standout company for hiring, supporting veterans
By Lane Kimble
APPLETON, Wis. -- There’s a picture on the wall of MCC, Inc.’s conference room in Appleton that shows military service members posing in front of a cement mixer. It’s a small reminder of the major…
Read MoreOctober 2, 2023
Painting the ‘big picture’: WTBA’s legislative education program offers Assembly transportation chair site tour
By Lane Kimble
TOMAH, Wis. -- Tucked neatly into the scenic rolling hills and farmland in western Wisconsin, it’s easy to miss the Milestone Materials quarry if you’re not looking for it. That’s because parent company Mathy Construction…
Read MoreSeptember 8, 2023
Studies: Sooner better than later to research VMTs for gas tax replacement
By Lane Kimble
Can state governments fairly and safely track how many miles you drive in an effort to supplement – and, eventually, replace – the gas tax? It’s a question we can’t wait too long to answer,…
Read MoreAugust 23, 2023
Article: Extensive lobbying efforts help secure significant boost in transportation funding
By Lane Kimble
Reliability is key in transportation construction, especially when it comes to reliable funding and work. Every contractor knows that. Over the winter, spring, and early summer, WTBA and other groups ensured lawmakers knew it, too,…
Read MoreAugust 23, 2023
With future still undecided, Sen. Stroebel pushes back against possible I-794 demolition
By Lane Kimble
Calling it a “solution in search of a problem,” State Sen. Duey Stroebel urged WisDOT to take a measured approach as it considers what to do with I-794 in Milwaukee. The Department is gathering input…
Read MoreAugust 17, 2023
Feds release updated construction guidance on Build America, Buy America
By Lane Kimble
New guidance issued this week should clear up confusion – and many concerns – over Build America, Buy America’s (BABA) impact on transportation projects. ARTBA has been pushing the White House’s Made in America Office…
Read MoreAugust 2, 2023
WTBA, coalition partners push feds to help fund Blatnik Bridge replacement
By Lane Kimble
Nearly $2 billion is a lot of money to dedicate to one project. But when that project provides an essential link between Wisconsin and Minnesota – and to the largest and busiest port on the…
Read MoreJuly 19, 2023
Michigan House approves work zone speed cameras; concept still prohibited in Wisconsin
By Lane Kimble
LANSING, Mich. -- One of Wisconsin’s neighbors is a step closer to potentially creating safer work zones. Late last month, the Michigan House of Representatives approved a pair of bills which would allow the state…
Read MoreJuly 6, 2023
Signed, sealed, delivered: Governor signs 2023-25 state budget with nearly $1B in new Transportation funding
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- From significant investments in long-awaited major projects to a new and sustainable funding mechanism, there is a lot to like when it comes to transportation in the new state budget. Wednesday, Gov.…
Read MoreJune 22, 2023
Governor signs ARIP, Shared Revenue bills
By Lane Kimble
A busy week of bill signing for Gov. Tony Evers could mean a busier future for the transportation construction industry. Evers signed the bipartisan Shared Revenue and Agriculture Road Improvement Program (ARIP) bills into law…
Read MoreJune 16, 2023
ARIP bill approved, headed to governor for signature
By Lane Kimble
Farmers and agricultural suppliers in Wisconsin could soon see the countless roads they depend on get some much needed improvements. The state Senate and Assembly both approved SB247 on Wednesday, sending the bill to Gov.…
Read MoreJune 16, 2023
Budget Breakdown: JFC votes to make “historic investments” in Transportation budget
By Lane Kimble
Good things tend to come to those who wait and – in the transportation world – that wait appears to be well worth it. Initially scheduled to debate the Transportation budget five days earlier, the…
Read MoreJune 16, 2023
Young Gun: Rep. Dallman, 31, fighting for rural roads during second elected term
By Lane Kimble
When State Rep. Alex Dallman talks about his childhood career goals, he’s speaking of relatively recent history. At just 31 years old, Dallman is halfway through his second term in state office. “I told myself…
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