RTA plan would allow Milwaukee County sales tax for transit
By Larry Sandler of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Jan. 19, 2010
South Milwaukee – Milwaukee County could create its own transit authority, funded by a sales tax of up to a half-cent, to take over the county’s cash-strapped bus system, under proposed legislation unveiled Tuesday.
The full 0.5% sales tax would bring in about $60 million a year, or roughly $20 million more than the Milwaukee County Transit System would need to end property tax support and meet its funding needs, bus system spokeswoman Jacqueline Janz said. The new transit authority would be required to use the additional money to restore bus routes cut since 2001, to increase service or to reduce fares.
Planners have warned the bus system would face a major service cut without new state or local funding to replace property taxes.