JFC Approves Republican Transportation Package
Friday, June 7th, 2019 -- 11:57 AM
(WRN) -A Republican transportation package was approved last night at Joint Finance at the Capitol.A Republican transportation package was approved last night at Joint Finance at the Capitol. Republicans say raising the fees on title transfers is less expensive than increasing the gas tax over the average life of a car. Republican representative Mark Born says it's a much more reasonable cost.
"So unless you're buying new vehicles that you have to register very frequently, you're getting hit with that gas tax increase a lot more frequently."
Democrat state representative Evan Goyke says the numbers are misleading.
"Pay attention SUV and minivan owners of Wisconsin, because the math equation that Representative Nygren just gave us left out that they're going to raise your registration fee."
Goyke says the Republican plan puts the costs of Wisconsin's roads squarely on Wisconsin drivers.
"No Illinois driver is going to pay the increased registration costs or increased title fees unless they buy their car in the state of Wisconsin."
Goyke says it's a bait and switch over a gas tax.
"It is illogical that you would tax the owner of a Ford Explorer 25 extra dollars a year and then not raise the tax on a truck that weighs 60 thousand pounds or 80 thousand pounds."
Republican representative Mark Born says they're spending more money directly on roads than the Governor's plan.
"Probably late enough that my daughter's in bed so I'm going to use some of the Governor's language when he tweets today: 'Fix the damn roads!' This motion fixes more damn roads than his does."
The changes mean annual registration fees go up 25 dollars for anyone who drives one of those vehicles. Title Transfer fees are also up 95 dollars. That replaces a proposed 8 cents a gallon gas tax in the Governor's plan. Also in the bill is payment for a bridge in Kaukauna, and a measure that limits local control over regulating the air and water quality of quarries.
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