|
|
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.
Read the entire article
RACINE – Bernie Hoff, 59, of Racine, said she and her family enjoyed the comforts of commuter rail when they were living in a Chicago suburb 24 years ago before they moved to Racine.
“We saw commuter rail is such an asset to the area,” said Hoff, who was at a transit forum Wednesday night. “We can’t understand why they don’t have it here.”
More than 130 people attended the community forum “Tapping into Transit as a Game-Changer” Wednesday night at the DeKoven Center, 600 21st St. The forum, hosted by Racine Transit Task Force and Transit NOW, highlighted the benefits of public transit and specifics of the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail project. The Task Force is a group working to improve transit for Racine.
Read the entire article
Gov. Jim Doyle’s announcement Tuesday of a revised framework for establishing and funding
regional transit authorities (RTAs) brought praise from David J. Mumma, Wisconsin Urban &
Rural Transit Association (WURTA) chair and transit director of the Janesville Transit System.
Read the entire press release
Framework likely requires Kenosha, Racine voter OKs
BY JOE POTENTE
Kenosha News
jpotente@kenoshanews.com
MILWAUKEE — Gov. Jim Doyle wants to give Kenosha and Racine counties time to merge into an umbrella regional transit authority that would fund and oversee bus and rail transit across a three-county region.
Read the entire article
The Business Journal of Milwaukee
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday announced a framework of a proposal crafted with legislators from southeastern Wisconsin on a plan to improve bus and rail service in Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine through a Regional Transit Authority.
The proposal would give Milwaukee County the authority to raise local sales taxes by 0.5 percent to fund local transit and a commuter rail line.
Read the entire article
DOYLE OFFERS NEW PLAN FOR TRANSIT IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN
Gov. Doyle on Monday offered a new plan to continue planning for the KRM commuter service and to improve bus and rail service in Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine. Doyle’s plan would:
- Create an umbrella RTA responsible for KRM planning and construction.
- Independent sub-RTAs would be responsible for local transit. Ultimately, the sub-RTAs would merge with the umbrella RTA.
- There would be a 0.05% sales tax for Milwaukee sub-RTA.
- Sub-RTAs created in Racine and Kenosha counties could be funded through a combination of currently authorized local revenue. All new transit revenue sources not authorized under current law would be subject to referendum.
- Incentive funding would be provided for local governments to create sub-RTAs. The incentive fee may consist of rental car fee revenue, funding from the transportation fund or other sources.
As part of the Environmental Impact Statement and Project Development phase of the KRM Alternatives Analysis, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been prepared by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, on behalf of an Intergovernmental Partnership (IGP) of the Counties and Cities of Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT), and the Regional Planning Commission.
Continue reading Public Hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the KRM
By Larry Sandler of the Journal Sentinel
Sept. 7, 2009
Even without an engineer in the cab, the train is still moving forward.
Regional planners are holding public hearings next week on plans for a commuter rail line connecting Milwaukee to Racine, Kenosha and the southern suburbs.
But at the moment, they have no one to whom they can report the results of those hearings.
Read the entire article
By Stacy Forster and Steve Schultze
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
June 30, 2009
Madison — Stung by Gov. Jim Doyle’s veto of a potential Milwaukee sales tax increase to fund transit programs, members of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Tuesday killed a study of a commuter rail plan for southeastern Wisconsin.
The funding for the study was a small amount – $35,000 – but lawmakers on the Joint Finance Committee, including several Milwaukee Democrats, saw it as a way to make a statement about the veto.
Read the entire article
BY DAVID STEINKRAUS
The Journal Times
July 1, 2009
People working for the KRM commuter rail link through southeastern Wisconsin say they still plan to apply for federal money, despite the state budget.
In budget vetoes released on Monday, Gov. Jim Doyle left intact a regional transit authority for southeastern Wisconsin to oversee KRM but eliminated a separate authority for Milwaukee County. He also removed an extra $2 car rental fee to support the Racine and Kenosha bus systems (which would have required them to find matching funds), and a half-cent sales tax for Milwaukee County to shore up its ailing bus system.
Read the entire article
BY JOE POTENTE
June 30, 2009
Kenosha News
The vetoes Gov. Jim Doyle issued and the state budget he signed into law Monday produced a mixed bag for backers of the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail proposal.
While the adopted budget retains an $18 fee on rental car transactions to fund KRM, it strips provisions allowing for a Milwaukee regional transit authority and dedicated funding for the Kenosha and Racine bus lines.
Read the entire article
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial
Jun. 22, 2009
There is still hope to create a truly regional transit system in southeastern Wisconsin. Democrats in the Legislature need to do what’s in the best interest of their constituents.
The two houses of the state Legislature will decide Tuesday whether to create a conference committee to resolve the differences between the different versions of the state budget bill in the Assembly and Senate. Because of the political majority Democrats hold in each house, it’s essentially they who will be deciding the budget – and who should be held accountable for the results and the process by which it is finalized.
Read the entire editorial
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tamara Grigsby – (608) 266-0645
State Representative – 18th Assembly District
June 23, 2009
Grigsby urges Compromise on Southeast RTA, Parks, that will strengthen Wisconsin Madison – State Representative Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee) asked legislative colleagues today to find a compromise regarding the implementation of a Southeast Regional Transit Authority and the 2008 Milwaukee County referendum. As Senate and Assembly leaders move toward a conference committee to resolve differences between their respective budget bills, Representative Grigsby urged them to acknowledge the needs and wishes of people throughout Southeast Wisconsin.
Continue reading Transit by the Numbers
Published June 12, 2009
Kenosha News
A $16 rental car fee proposed to fund the proposed Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail line would grow by an additional $2, under a state budget tweak that Assembly Democrats made Thursday.
The additional money would go toward supporting bus service in Kenosha and Racine, with each city’s transit operation receiving $1 per rental car transaction.
Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, said the change was a response to the Federal Transportation Authority’s desire to see revenue streams dedicated specifically to transit.
Read the entire article
by Tom Rave
May 28, 2009
Milwaukee Biz Blog
With three airlines announcing expanded flights to Milwaukee in just two days last week, it is clear that “outsiders” see major growth potential in our M7 and northern Chicago region. It’s a shame that many residents and lawmakers in our region do not share the same enthusiasm about growth in the future.
Read the entire post
|
Regional Transportation Authorities can create jobs and a stronger economy by empowering communities to operate cost-effective, balanced transportation systems.
|