April 18, 2025

By Lane Kimble

Sometimes the quality of your teacher can make or break your understanding and interest in a subject.

When your teachers are the likes of Bob Lang, Eric Petersen, Elise Nelson and Steve Baas and the subject is transportation funding and industry advocacy, you’re probably going to ace the test.

The WTBA of Tomorrow Council went “back to school” Thursday for the group’s kickoff meeting of its 2025 season.

The Council is preparing for a “Day at the Capitol” in a few weeks where members will get to meet one-on-one with lawmakers and their staff members.

WTBA of Tomorrow members are rising stars in WTBA member companies who are interested in learning more about the state budget and the association’s role in seeking reliable, long-term funding from the state of Wisconsin.

Lang–who is legendary in the Capitol for analyzing and guiding hundreds of legislators throughout the complicated budget process over his 50 years running the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau–offered a fascinating dive into the history of the budget process, the Joint Finance Committee, the powers of the governor’s line item veto, and what this budget’s implications are for transportation.

Petersen is WTBA’s long-time contract lobbyist.  He dished out his always entertaining and unvarnished view of this budget cycle and the makeup of the current legislature, then took questions from Tomorrow Council members who clearly enjoyed his candor.

Nelson and Baas highlighted what WTBA likes in the governor’s 2025-27 budget proposal, covered the association’s priorities, and urged attendees to speak from the heart and share their personal stories when they go into lawmakers’ offices later this month.

Some of the WTBA Board of Directors will also join WTBA of Tomorrow members during the Capitol visits.

In addition to Capitol advocacy, the WTBA of Tomorrow Council also judges annual WTBA Scholarship entries, coordinates and hosts construction site tours, and solicits dozens of donations for the Scholarship Auction.