Wisconsin
Wisconsin GOP skeptical about Evers’ lead pipe replacement plan
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican legislative leaders say they’re skeptical about a plan in Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ budget that calls for borrowing $40 million to replace lead water pipes around the state.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Rep. John Nygren, co-chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, told reporters during a question-and-answer session Tuesday that they’re concerned most of the borrowing would go toward replacing pipes in Milwaukee.
Nygren said he supports more localized efforts rather than have taxpayers in his hometown of Marinette footing the bill for improvements in Milwaukee.
Vos said replacing lead lines across the state is too expensive and lawmakers should look for cheaper options, such as placing water-filtration systems in homes.
Randy Hubert
April 10, 2019 at 12:58 am
Shouldn’t cities with lead pipes pay for their own problem.
Jeff Blakeley
April 10, 2019 at 11:57 pm
I would think so, but there’s a larger voter base in Milwaukee and that’s where the pork-barrel spending usually goes. People in the rural areas pick up their own tab instead of waiting for a government handout collected from others.