Thousands of Wisconsin jobs would be affected this summer if a proposed fix to the looming state budget deficit were implemented, construction groups stated Friday.
The groups reacted to an April 23 letter from Frank Busalacchi, secretary of the state Department of Transportation, stating unless a budget solution is reached soon, road projects are likely to be reduced dramatically"" in May and June.
Groups such as the Transportation Development Association and the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association oppose the option of borrowing money from state transportation funds to help fix the over $527 million deficit.
""Our industry has done our part to help solve previous budget shortfalls, but enough is enough,"" said the WTBA in a statement on the shortfall.
""Our roads are in the worst condition in recent memory and our employment levels are already at a crisis point.""
WTBA said over 2,000 jobs would be lost and construction companies significantly hurt if the DOT funds are used.
Craig Thompson, executive director of the TDA, said state Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, and Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, gave assurances the DOT funds would not be used. However, he said Gov. Jim Doyle remains open to the idea.
Doyle previously stated the over $261 million in DOT funds could be used for the budget deficit and bonds would be bought to pay for the road projects.
Thompson said there is a possibility Doyle might take action on the DOT funds ""unilaterally"" without support from legislative leaders.
Doyle spokesperson Lee Sensenbrenner said he could not comment on what budget options are still being negotiated between Doyle and lawmakers, but Doyle is still committed to protecting his priorities.
The governor has stated he does not want to cut too much from the UW-System or raise taxes in any budget solution.
