Operators back segregating transportation budget

The coalition to protect the state’s transportation budget has another member.

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 on Wednesday announced its support of a constitutional amendment to keep the transportation budget segregated, protecting the money from lawmakers’ use on non-transportation related budget items or programs.

The coalition wants advisory referendums placed on November ballots in all 72 counties asking voters whether they would support a segregated budget.

State Rep. Mark Gottlieb, R-Port Washington, said last week a bill proposing the constitutional amendment will return in the next legislative session.

The Legislature needs to approve the amendment in two consecutive sessions and get voter approval in a referendum to revise the state constitution.

— Paul Snyder