At a point when the Legislative Fiscal Bureau projects that Gov. Scott Walker’s austerity policies will lead to a $1.8 billion shortfall in the next budget cycle, the worst thing the state could do would be to limit the flexibility of legislators and the governor when it comes to budgeting.

Yet that is precisely what special-interest groups are proposing, in the form of a constitutional amendment that would severely limit the allocation and use of revenues raised through the state’s gas tax, vehicle registration fees, and certain other air and rail taxes and fees. If enacted, the amendment would take away the flexibility of lawmakers to use state revenues to meet urgent needs and create a slush fund for powerful transportation interests.

Wisconsin has for 166 years gotten by without constitutionally mandated limits of how transportation funds can be spent. The state has built and maintained good roads and a fine transportation infrastructure without engaging in this sort of budget gimmickry.

There’s no such special treatment for funds for public schools and other crucial needs.

Wisconsinites who care about fiscal integrity, sound budgeting and honest governance should vote “no” on this ill-thought-out and irresponsible amendment.

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