Search Results for: public-affairs
July 9, 2025
Newly signed state budget provides big boost to transportation funding with more work ahead
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Mick Jagger has reminded us for 56 years, “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes… you get what you need.” Such is the case with last week’s…
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July 8, 2025
A sight to see in Stoughton: WTBA, JPS lead State Senator on tour of Highway 51 reconstruct
By Lane Kimble
STOUGHTON, Wis. -- Brian Wipf had just one hour to introduce, inform, and inspire a state senator while walking through an active construction site Monday afternoon. Not a problem for a guy used to speaking…
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June 24, 2025
‘Something’s got to give’: Transportation chair talks funding options on Sunday news show
By Lane Kimble
State Sen. Cory Tomczyk recognizes the problem: we can’t rely forever on one-time fixes to fill a billion-dollar transportation funding hole. Solving that problem moving forward, however, remains elusive. “Something’s got to give. Something has…
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June 11, 2025
NEW POD: Build up to the Big Gig
By Lane Kimble
You can expect to see a good deal of extra traffic flowing through I-794 and the connecting Hoan Bridge over the next several weekends in Milwaukee. Summerfest returns for its 57th year starting Thursday, June…
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June 10, 2025
All-time-high tourism in 2024 generates $1.7 billion in state, local revenue
By Lane Kimble
More than 114 million people visited Wisconsin in 2024, helping the state smash not only one but three tourism-related records. Tourism in 2024 had a $25.8 billion overall economic impact and generated about $1.7 billion…
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May 21, 2025
Sustainable transportation funding will take ‘tough decisions’ from state lawmakers, Baas tells WisPolitics forum
By Lane Kimble
How do you fix a looming $1 billion transportation budget shortfall? Raise the gas tax? Charge fees based on how many miles you drive? Build tolls? Tap further into the general fund? WTBA Executive Director…
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May 8, 2025
WTBA contingent gains valuable insights, connections at ARTBA Federal Issues Program
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- WTBA’s reach and influence extends well beyond the state’s borders, a fact on display in the Washington, D.C. this week. Executive Director Steve Baas joined former Board presidents Jim Peterson, Jeff Parisi,…
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May 2, 2025
WTBA members shine in face-to-face Capitol visits, bringing transportation funding focus front and center for lawmakers
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…
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May 2, 2025
A first in decades: House T&I Committee approves potential Highway Trust Fund support through EV fees
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…
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April 23, 2025
Salute to Service: Wisconsin DWD seeking to recognize employers for supporting veterans
By Lane Kimble
Military veterans make up a crucial and dedicated portion of WTBA members’ workforce. Chances are you know several or are a veteran yourself. Wisconsin wants to honor and recognize companies that hire and empower veterans…
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April 11, 2025
WTBA’s Baas stresses importance of transportation, funding on Milwaukee to Madison “City Exchange”
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- As the coach bus rolled smoothly westbound on I-94 Thursday morning, Steve Baas pondered the analogy he was about to deliver to the group riding on it, hoping they understood its weight.…
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April 4, 2025
Laying the Groundwork: Baas, Nelson join TDA at D.C. Fly-In for Congressional discussions
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The quote is about 2,500 years old but the message is as relevant now as ever. "Every battle is won before it's ever fought." Duly noted, Sun Tzu. WTBA put in critical…
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April 4, 2025
New WTBA Board President joins the pod (Episode 2 out today!)
By Lane Kimble
Having freshly turned 40, Dan Zignego has already accomplished a lot in his life. He’s happily married, is president of a major player in the concrete paving industry, and just became the new WTBA Board…
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April 3, 2025
Duffy tells Senate Committee it’s time to ‘cut the red tape’ to get transportation projects going
By Lane Kimble
Most jobs give you a little time to settle in, train, and get up to speed. Not so for Sean Duffy. He has a backlog of more than 3,200 potential construction projects across the country…
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April 1, 2025
Evers announces $2 million in grants for pre-disaster infrastructure studies and work
By Lane Kimble
Historic flooding like what happened to Lake Delton in 2008, the Bad River Reservation in far-northern Wisconsin in 2016, and central and western Wisconsin in 2018 can wipe out roads, culverts, dams, and homes. Wisconsin…
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March 19, 2025
JFC announces 4 public budget listening sessions
By Lane Kimble
Next month brings one of the best chances to ensure lawmakers who are crafting the next state budget hear your voice. The Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) announced four all-day budget listening sessions across…
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March 18, 2025
Evers to Duffy: Clear up federal funding uncertainty
By Lane Kimble
Gov. Tony Evers leaned into DOT Secretary Sean Duffy’s Wisconsin heritage this week, calling on him to ensure federally funded projects in the Badger State aren’t delayed or outright canceled. Evers sent a letter Thursday…
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February 20, 2025
Governor provides strong backing for transportation funding as JFC dives into state budget work
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- Much like building a road, bridge, or freeway, the first of many significant steps in building the state budget–and providing billions in funding for the transportation system–began this week. Introducing his 2025-27…
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February 13, 2025
Work Zone Safe WI gets Congressional shoutout from Rep. Wied
By Lane Kimble
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new work zone safety initiative WTBA spearheaded in Wisconsin last year received some national attention this week. Newly elected Congressman Tony Wied (R-Wisconsin) highlighted the Work Zone Safe Wisconsin (WZSW) program…
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February 6, 2025
State awards $100 million for second round of agriculture road improvement funding
By Lane Kimble
MADISON, Wis. -- A big reason the agriculture industry can pump more than $115 billion into Wisconsin’s economy every year is because farmers and food producers can get their products to market. Rural roads that…
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