Republicans squabble over transportation funding talks

MADISON— Republican leaders in the state Assembly are squabbling publicly with their Republican colleague in the Senate who is co-chair of the budget-writing committee.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Joint Finance Committee co-chair Rep. John Nygren issued a joint statement Thursday. In it, they criticize comments made by Republican Sen. Alberta Darling that were reported by wispolitics.com as being disingenuous.

The website reported that Darling said Assembly Republicans were advocating for a gas tax or registration fee increase to pay for transportation projects. Vos and Nygren say they never supported a gas tax increase, and they backed off a registration fee hike in the face of opposition from Gov. Scott Walker.

Darling's spokesman had no immediate comment.

The budget committee has not met for three weeks as negotiations continue in private.