Wake Up! Waukesha
Jay, who has lived in the Waukesha area for over 20 years, is an active volunteer who has served on numerous local boards and committees. He's married to Colleen with three kids having gone through the Waukesha schools. He is the VP of a local distribution company.
Where are the Kenosha and Beloit Tollways?
If we want the convenience of using most Illinois expressways on our way to, or through, Chicago – we pay. And… we pay again for the privilege of returning home to Wisconsin.
And in an ironic twist, IL would have you believe the funds we pay go to “improving” their tollways. Ironic because I cannot recall the last time these tollways could be used without experiencing delays due to construction. It’s almost a self-fulfilling prophecy for the IL Tollway authorities – keep collecting/keep constructing.
So now fast forward to SE Wisconsin. The recently completed Marquette Interchange; the under-construction I-94 rebuild from Milwaukee to the IL border; and the now-being-planned Zoo Interchange reconstruction. Yes, the majority of funding is from the Federal budget. The balance is from us – Wisconsin taxpayers.
What is wrong with the above and why are we not acting in reciprocal good faith with our neighbors to the South…and charging them to use our “Freeways”?
Before Wisconsinites scream “That means every time I travel to and from IL, I will pay double”, take pause and consider a reasonable alternative. WI residents who live and are employed here could buy a “W-Pass” which would allow passage through the WI tolls at a reduced cost (we pay enough taxes in WI – there have to be some perks…). In reality, it would become a usage tax. Travel to or through IL, whether for employment or recreation, and WI drivers would pay a nominal sum as they leave/enter the State. WI recreation spots could offer reimbursement for the tolls if it becomes an issue: Check out prime season room rates in the Dells and challenge if another $4.00 will deter anyone…
Everyone else – pay! And pay just like we currently pay. And we won’t play unfair, we will only construct tolls at Kenosha and Beloit mirroring IL (I suggest we consider one more toll in WI at IL roads leading to Lake Geneva, i.e. “Chicago’s Vacationland”). It’s absurd to think there would be a hint of backlash. Many IL workers take advantage of lower WI real estate prices and commute daily – Why exempt them? WI resident vacationers going through Illinois on their way to Florida – Another $2.00 will not preclude their taking a family vacation.
Let’s not forget the number of IL residents who own “2’nd Home” vacation properties – think Door County and “Up North”. They pay property taxes on these vacation properties, but they don’t pay State income taxes – therefore they would pay full rate. Trucking/freight companies would now pay for the heavy wear and tear their 18 wheelers have taken on WI roads.
The current WI tax climate is becoming unbearable. You cannot keep levying taxes to balance a broke system. Far too many WI residents are losing jobs while their former employers explain “WI was unable to match other States and their incentives”.
We must think outside of the box…and fast. Let’s follow the lead of IL and help the WI roads pay for themselves with the tens of millions of dollars this proposal would generate. And to think - this revenue would come into the State instead of coming from the State!
Lastly, on an emotional level… Bears fans attending Packers games at Lambeau, and Cubs fans attending Brewers games at Miller Park would generate more dollars for the “home” team – Wisconsin!
0 COMMENTS