Finding Forward: Group releases FAQ on transportation fund referendum

CONTACT: Craig Thompson, executive director

Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin

(608) 256-7044

MADISON — Finding Forward, a non-partisan, grassroots coalition of business, labor, civic and industry leaders throughout Wisconsin, today released their answers to frequently asked questions regarding the transportation referendum that is on the general election ballot in many Wisconsin counties.

Q: What is the exact wording of the referendum question?

A: Should the Wisconsin Constitution be amended to prohibit any further transfers or lapses from the segregated transportation fund?

Q: Why is it called the segregated transportation fund?

A: Because the money in the fund comes mostly from two sources directly related to transportation: the taxes you pay right at the gas pump and the fees you pay for vehicle registration. These user fees have historically been placed in a “segregated” fund so that users of the transportation system pay for the upkeep of that system.

Q: What will my YES vote mean?

A: It will mean you are in favor of adding language to the Wisconsin Constitution that would make sure money collected from transportation users is spent only for reasons related to maintaining or improving Wisconsin’s transportation system.

Q: Will a YES vote change the Wisconsin Constitution?

A: No. The referendum is only advisory; the outcome of the vote is not binding. Changing the constitution requires action by two successive sessions of the state legislature and then passage of a binding statewide referendum.

Q: If the referendum is only advisory, why does a YES vote matter?

A: A vote of YES matters a great deal, because it tells your elected representatives that you want the transportation fund to be protected against other uses and that you would support legislation to add language saying so to the state’s constitution.

Q: Why is this issue so urgent?

A: Because in recent years lawmakers have diverted or transferred more than a billion dollars from the transportation fund to try and shore up the state’s general fund. Not only has this not solved Wisconsin’s financial problems, it has lowered Wisconsin’s national bond rating and created a vicious circle of borrowing that has left the general fund worse off and created an even larger budget shortfall. Now our non-partisan, non-profit, grassroots coalition, called Finding Forward, is urging people to vote YES to tell lawmakers that the people of Wisconsin want to return to responsible budgeting and protect the transportation network that is vital to the state’s economy and quality of life

Q: Do other states do this?

A: The majority of states already have language in their own constitutions that specifically safeguards against transferring transportation funds for non-transportation purposes.

Q: What counties have the transportation referendum question on their general election ballots?

A: In alphabetical order, the transportation referendum question will be on the general election ballots in the counties listed below. In addition, the referendum question was placed on the September primary election ballot in Racine County where YES votes won by a substantial margin.

Adams
Ashland
Barron
Bayfield
Brown
Burnett
Calumet
Chippewa
Clark
Columbia
Crawford
Dodge
Door
Douglas
Eau Claire
Forest
Green
Green Lake
Grant
Iron
Jackson
Juneau
Kewaunee
La Crosse
Lafayette
Langlade
Lincoln
Manitowoc
Marathon
Marquette
Menomonie
Monroe
Oneida
Outagamie
Ozaukee
Pierce
Pepin
Polk
Portage
Price
Richland
Rock
Shawano
Sheboygan
St. Croix
Taylor
Trempealeau
Vernon
Vilas
Waukesha
Waupaca
Waushara
Winnebago

Q: Who belongs to Finding Forward?

A: More information, including a list of Finding Forward’s member organizations, is available at http://www.FindingForwardWisconsin.org.