MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican legislative leaders say a new audit detailing cost overruns at the Department of Transportation is disconcerting and demonstrates the need for a long-term solution. The audit released Thursday found that completed and ongoing projects at DOT are costing twice as much as initially estimated because of inflation, delays and other unexpected cost increases. Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says the report is disconcerting but he is confident DOT will take immediate steps to improve. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says the audit shows that “Wisconsin is trying to do too much with too little and taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth.” He is advocating for increasing transportation-related taxes and fees by $300 million, with corresponding tax cuts elsewhere, to pay for roads.
