Transportation Commission to hold public listening session in Milwaukee

On March 22, citizens interested in Wisconsin’s transportation future are invited to attend a public listening session hosted by the state’s Transportation Finance and Policy Commission Thursday, March 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) Southeast Freeway Office, 1001 West Saint Paul Avenue, Milwaukee.

“We hope interested citizens will use the listening session to provide the Commission with input on Wisconsin’s transportation future, especially as it pertains to prioritizing and funding our long-range transportation needs,” said WisDOT Secretary Mark Gottlieb, who serves as Commission chair.

Secretary Gottlieb said new information presented to the Commission indicates there is a potential $15 billion gap between the funding needed to sustain current transportation services and the amount of revenue that’s expected from existing sources over the next 10 years. The Commission is statutorily required to recommend how to bring transportation expenditures and revenues into a stable balance.

The Wisconsin Legislature established the Commission as part of the 2011-13 biennial budget to examine issues related to the future of transportation finance in Wisconsin. The Commission is required to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature no later than March 1, 2013.

The Milwaukee meeting is one of four public listening sessions the Commission is holding around the state. Prior to the public listening session, the Commission will hold its regular meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

People unable to attend the listening session are invited to send comments to the Commission via e-mail at: dottfpcommission@dot.wi.gov.

More information about the Commission, its members, future meetings and listening sessions can be found on the WisDOT web site at: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/about/tfp/index.htm.

NOTE: WisDOT Secretary Mark Gottlieb, along with individual commission members, are available to do interviews in the days prior to the Commission meeting to discuss the work of the Commission to date. The Commission has new information to share regarding transportation finance needs and revenue projections for the next 10 years.  Contact Peg Schmitt, (608) 266-7744 or peg.schmitt@dot.wi.gov to schedule an interview.

NOTE:  This document can be viewed on the Internet at: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/news.