Infrastructure & Environment

Waukesha County’s economic vitality depends on modern, safe and efficient infrastructure networks, from our transportation systems to our water supply. In particular, we recognize the need for a sustainable funding solution to meet the critical transportation infrastructure needs of our state. The effective flow of goods, services and people is fundamental to business growth and a vibrant economy.

Areas of support

Advocate for statewide, sustainable, long-term transportation funding solutions.
Advocate for completion of the I-94 East-West corridor between 16th Street and 70th Street.
Support the completion of the West Waukesha Bypass.
Continue to evaluate cost-effective, efficient, flexible transportation options that connect people looking for work with jobs available in Waukesha County.
Support the City of Waukesha in the implementation of borrowing and returning water from Lake Michigan.

Talking points

It’s time for Wisconsin to create a long-term transportation plan that aligns transportation project priorities with predictable funding to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner.
A good, well-maintained transportation infrastructure leads to more jobs, a strong economy and increased public safety.
Access to a robust transportation system is consistently one of the top issues we hear from businesses – both those already doing business here and those looking to relocate or expand in the region.
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported that the transportation fund is at least $940 million short per year to fund all of the existing approved projects.
The proportion of Wisconsin state highways rated in good condition decreased from 53.5% in 2010 to 41% in 2015, according to WisDOT’s pavement condition index.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released a report giving Wisconsin roads and bridges a D+. According to the report, Wisconsinites pay an average of $640 per year in car repairs because of bad roads.
The East-West corridor, which connects the Marquette and the Zoo interchanges, carries between 140,000 and 160,000 vehicles per day – 30,000 more than its 1950s-era design intended.
There are nearly 21,000 businesses and 310,000 jobs located within a 5-mile radius of the I-94 East-West project.
Lake Michigan water is the only long-term, sustainable and environmentally friendly water supply source for the City of Waukesha service area.

2019-21 Wisconsin state budget passes

July 16, 2019

With 78 partial vetoes, Governor Evers officially passed the Wisconsin 2019-21 state budget on July 2. The $82-billion budget included important priorities for Alliance members, including investments in transportation funding and K-12 education, as well as the proposed cuts to income taxes. The approved budget included a moderate income tax decrease, property tax levy limits […]

Alliance outlines priorities in state budget

July 1, 2019

Now that the Wisconsin legislature has sent the state budget to Governor Evers, he has six days (not including Sunday, but including the Fourth of July) to either approve the budget as-is, line-item veto portions of it or veto it entirely.

Alliance expands advocacy efforts

March 18, 2019

As the Alliance heads in to our 101st year, we’re excited to announce the continued growth and expansion of our advocacy efforts on behalf of Waukesha County businesses. For years, advocacy has been a core focus of the Alliance as we work to provide a clear and persuasive voice for the business community and advocate for business-friendly legislation at the local, state and federal levels.

Governor Tony Evers unveils first state budget

March 4, 2019

Governor Tony Evers unveiled his first state budget last Thursday. The Alliance’s policy committees and staff are examining the $83-billion state budget to identify issues significantly impacting our member businesses and outlined in the Alliance’s 2019 Policy Agenda. These include policy solutions that address the workforce shortage, foster strong business-education partnerships, help modernize our state’s critical infrastructure, drive economic development and promote government efficiencies.

Alliance meets with leaders in D.C. on trade, tariffs and other international issues

March 4, 2019

Alliance staff joined a group of 30 business and chamber leaders from around the state for the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce D.C. Fly-In on Feb. 12 and 13. The focus of this year’s trip was on international issues, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), trade and tariffs, international aid and immigration. The two-day fly-in included […]

Milwaukee Biz Blog: Will 2019 deliver ‘dark store’ solutions?

February 4, 2019

Jeff Hoffman is a principal at Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke and a public member of the Legislative Study committee on Property Tax Assessment Practices. He is also on the Alliance’s policy board, infrastructure committee and board of directors. This blog originally ran in BizTimes Milwaukee. Click here to read it on BizTimes.com. Milwaukee Biz Blog: […]

Infrastructure Committee

Joe Pieper

Chair
Westbury Bank

Andy Kowske

Vice Chair
HNTB Corporation

Jeff Bauer

Jacobs Engineering

Jennifer Bognar-Zierer

We Energies

John Burgan

raSmith

Garret Burleson

Interstate Sealant & Concrete, Inc.

Joshua Davenport

KPRG & Associates Inc.

Tom Dieckelman

Wisconsin Coach Lines / Coach USA

Tom Fotsch

EmbedTek LLC

Don Gallo

Husch Blackwell LLP

Troy Giles

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

Mark Gorski

Judson & Associates S.C.

Mike Gryczka

National Exchange Bank & Trust

Pat Hawley

raSmith

Jeff Hoffman

Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke

Lori Lorenz

American Transmission Company

Susan Marshall

Backbone Institute, LLC

John McGinnis

ProHealth Care Foundation

Andrew Narr

Tri City National Bank

Mike Payant

Ayres Associates

Mike Pjevach