Wisconsin: Walkders "budget" req's local gov't to use private contractors for road work over $100K

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/123430129.html?page=1

And the hits just keep on coming!

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Madison - Counties and local governments would have to give more of their highway work to private contractors under a budget provision that is drawing opposition from lawmakers from both parties.

The budget measure would require local governments to contract with private road builders - rather than using their own workers - for projects that cost $100,000 or more in certain situations. That will drive up costs for local governments, said Senate President Mike Ellis (R-Neenah).

"The only ones who seem to benefit are the road builders," Ellis said in a statement. "Last session I criticized Gov. (Jim) Doyle's unnecessary and costly auto insurance changes as a payoff to the trial lawyers. It doesn't look any better when Republicans insert just as unnecessary and costly provisions that appear to benefit their friends."

The changes were incorporated into the state budget late last month by the Joint Finance Committee. It was adopted 12-4 on party lines as part of a sweeping motion on transportation crafted by the committee's co-chairs, Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester).


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