Legislature passes transportation amendment (UPDATE)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A constitutional amendment designed to prevent lawmakers from raiding money from the state transportation fund to pay for other items has passed the Legislature.

Both the Senate and Assembly approved the proposal on Tuesday on bipartisan votes.

However, it must pass the Legislature again in either 2013 or 2014 and be approved by voters statewide before it could take effect.

Under the Republican-authored amendment, any money the state collects through the gas tax, fees imposed on driver’s licenses and titling vehicles must be deposited in the transportation fund. Once in the fund, the money could not be used for any program that isn’t run by the state Department of Transportation.

Former Gov. Jim Doyle diverted $1.3 billion from the fund to pay for schools and other expenses.

Read more on the transportation fund

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