Waukesha County wants statewide referendum to protect transportation funds

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WAUKESHA - Waukesha County hopes to lead a parade of counties putting a referendum on the ballot to protect transportation funds.

Since he took office seven years ago, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has used $1.2 billion dollars from the transportation fund to pay for schools and give aid to local governments. That money should have been used to pay for road projects.

The referendum would call for an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution, requiring that those funds be used only for the state's transportation system and infrastructure. The transportation fund is fed by the state gas tax, vehicle registration fees and money from Washington.

Local supporters hope passage of the referendums would lead state lawmakers to start the process of changing the constitution.

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