Politicians can’t even agree Wisconsin roads are in bad shape

It is rare that politicians agree on something. But in Wisconsin, there is generally a consensus that the state’s roads are in bad shape, and getting worse. Politicians from both parties don’t necessarily agree on what to do about Wisconsin’s rapidly crumbling roads, but they do agree they are in bad shape. With the exception of Rep. Duey Stroebel. He thinks Wisconsin’s roads and highways aren’t in the bad shape that several reports reveal. Stroebel is skeptical of a 2013 study by the American Society of Civil Engineers which shows Wisconsin having one of the worst road records in the country, with 71% of the state’s roads rated in mediocre or poor condition. Stroebel attributes his skepticism to the fact that the group conducting the study is the same ones who stand to benefit from building new roads. That may be. But it doesn’t take a study by this group or any other to reveal just how bad the state’s roads really are. Does Stroebel not drive in Wisconsin? Is he not aware that road projects throughout the state are being held up, in some cases for years, because of a lack of state funding? Does he not see more and more Wisconsin communities adopting a local wheel tax or some other funding mechanism for fixing their roads the state won’t? It is understandable that lawmakers can’t agree on how to pay for our roads, but it is inconceivable there are those who don’t even think there is a problem.