Tranportation News

Proposal Is Vital to Wisconsin’s Economic Growth, Keeping Wisconsin Competitive in the 21^st Century

[Madison, WI] — Advocates are applauding the Joint Finance Committee for their vote to enhance public transportation systems by supporting dedicated funding for transit in Dane county and in southeastern Wisconsin.  The committee approved a Dane County RTA, a Milwaukee County RTA and a new board to oversee the construction of the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail line.  The committee did not approve an RTA for the Fox Valley or legislation enabling RTAs in the rest of the state. 

“Vibrant, multi-modal transportation networks are vital to a strong economy,” said Bruce Speight of WISPIRG.  “The members of the committee who supported these proposals are voting for a stronger, more competitive Wisconsin.  The dedicated funding that RTAs provide will enhance public transportation in our cities and better position Wisconsin to receive federal dollars to enhance our transportation networks.  With viable local transit systems, Wisconsin will be better positioned to connect with President Obama’s high speed rail network.  But, bottomline, enhanced transportation networks give employers another reason to stay in Wisconsin by providing employers better access to workers, and workers better access to jobs.”

The proposal will now go to both houses of the legislature for approval.  Floor action on the budget, including the RTA proposals, is not expected until June. 

While public transportation ridership is reaching new records around the country, Wisconsin’s cumbersome and antiquated rules currently make it difficult to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable public transportation in our communities.  Regional transportation authorities will give communities the ability to provide stable funding for transit and to expand local transportation options, such as commuter rail and improved bus systems.

Exciting new projects like the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail line, enhanced bus systems across the state, and commuter rail in Dane county would give employers better access to workers and workers better access to jobs.  RTAs would enable transportation investments that minimize oil dependence, traffic congestion, environmental pollution and sprawl, while encouraging development of compact, livable communities where driving is an option, not a requirement. 

A diverse coalition of business, labor, municipal, environmental, religious, and public interest organizations have come together to support the Governor’s RTA proposal in A.B. 75 to create the Dane County RTA, Fox Cities RTA and Southeast RTA.  In addition the coalition supports language in A.B. 75 that will permit Wisconsin’s communities not covered in the Governor’s Budget to form RTAs with the authority to levy a sales tax of up to 0.5 percent. 

###

WISPIRG is a statewide non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy organization.