Proposed law takes state off hook for pothole damage

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Legislation proposed at the Capitol would relieve local governments of responsibility to pay for the damage that potholes and maintenance issues cause to vehicles.

Under current law, the state is liable for damages up to $50,000 if roads are maintained “insufficiently.”

Doug Parrott is with the Wisconsin Counties Association, and he says while it's not a huge fiscal impact, counties have paid out $1.5 million for such damages over the past 10 years, and he thinks that's too much.

Ann Jacobs, with the Wisconsin Association for Justice, is pushing for the bill. She says local governments ought to be held liable in such cases.

Tags: wisconsin, government, travel