Politician of the Year

Petri finds funding for Wisconsin's roads

By Jennifer Pfaff

Tom Petri U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District

There is hope that Highway 41 will become Interstate 41 in the next 25 years.

And there’s federal money supporting that plan.

Federal funding for the reconstruction of the Marquette Interchange is 30 percent over formula.

Money is earmarked for railroad improvements, pedestrian walkways and bike trails in the state.

That’s a fairly new situation for a state that has struggled for decades to lose the dubious distinction of “donor state” when it comes to federal transportation funding.

Thanks to the U.S. transportation bill signed into law in August, Wisconsin is now set to receive an average of $711.9 million per year in formula highway funding, which breaks down to $1.06 for every $1 the state contributes.

“Before Congressman [Tom] Petri gained seniority on the Transportation Committee, Wisconsin got about 78 cents back for every dollar we sent in,” said Bob Cook, executive director of the Transportation Development Association. “He is the reason we now get more than $1 back for every $1 we send in.

“That means our transportation systems are more efficient, they’ll be safer, lives are going to be saved, our economy will grow.”

As chairman of the Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee, Petri, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1979, has been tireless in advocating for Wisconsin’s needs even in the face of stiff competition from powerful states, Cook said.

His efforts have made many stand up and take notice, including Wisconsin Builder, which has named Petri its Politician of the Year.

“It’s the person as well as the position,” said Tom Walker, executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association. “His success in getting named chairman of the subcommittee demonstrates the confidence people have in him. That position gives him the authority to protect Wisconsin if he does so in a thoughtful and responsible way.”

That’s just what Petri does best, Cook said.

“Congressman Petri is a very thoughtful legislator,” he said. “He does not respond in a knee-jerk fashion. He doesn’t always tow the party line.”

One of the keys to Petri’s success is that he seeks out multiple viewpoints before making decisions, Walker said.

“It’s a great thing to be able to walk into a congressional office and talk to someone who really cares about what you’re talking about,” he said. “... He’s always learning. He takes information from a variety of people and turns that into his own perspective.”

Most important, he understands the vital role that transportation systems play in a community’s economy. According to Petri’s Web site, the new transportation bill will increase Wisconsin’s transportation budget 30 percent and create 10,000 jobs for the state.

Other statistics show that every $1 invested in transportation nets $3 in economic growth, Cook said.

“It is trackable to the overall health of the community,” Walker agreed. “If the economy perks up, you see a resurgence of large building.”

If Highway 41 does become Interstate 41, which is contingent on certain upgrades being made in the next 25 years, land along its route will undoubtedly become more desirable to businesses, Walker said.

“If you can say, ‘We’re on an interstate,’ that’s a good thing,” he said. “It’s all about getting people to jobs, getting products in and out. That’s what drives all that nice construction.”