M-Change: Did HNTB Buy Construction Work?
MILWAUKEE -- The company that's accepted responsibility for a design flaw with a support column in the Marquette Interchange has been a contributor to the campaigns of both Governor Jim Doyle and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Doyle received more than $90,000 in campaign donations from the employees of HNTB; a company heavily involved in the design and construction of the rebuilt Marquette.
According to the Watchdog Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, even Brian Swenson, the HNTB executive who stood with Department of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi during a news conference on Thursday, gave Governor Doyle $125 just last year.
HNTB employees have been active contributors this year too. They've already forked out at least $15,000 to Barrett's current campaign for governor.
Phil Walzak, a spokesperson for Barrett, doesn't believe there's any impropriety here, saying, "If there's an expectation that they're going to get something for a donation with Tom Barrett, that's just not the case."
Republican gubenatorial candidate Scott Walker has accepted donations from HNTB, but much less, amounting to about $1,000 total.
Primary challenger Mark Neumann (Republican) has not brought in any contributions from HNTB.
The company has an office on Milwaukee's northwest side and handles a number of Wisconsin transportation projects.
Next Article in Local: Local News: Milwaukee police investigate 2 overnight shootings
0 COMMENTS
ADD A COMMENT