MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) - Wisconsin counties can no longer work with each other to improve their highways.
The new state budget signed by Governor Scott Walker prohibits county highway departments from doing work outside their borders. The La Crosse Tribune says it will have a profound impact on county agencies in western Wisconsin. La Crosse and Monroe counties can no longer rely on Vernon County for road stripes, or Trempealeau County for asphalt. Also, Vernon County is stuck with a quarter-million-dollar painting machine it can use only on its own roads. Meanwhile, county officials wonder if they can work together with municipalities on road projects.
The restrictions were left in the budget after the state Assembly scrapped the idea of making private contractors do road projects costing 100-thousand dollars or more. Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee approved that measure, attracting criticism that they were catering to their campaign donors. But Governor Walker said the budget item he approved will save taxpayers money.
Pat Gross of the Transportation Builders Association said something needed to be done to level the playing field. He said private firms often have to compete with government highway departments which don’t pay taxes.
