Support Regional Transit

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Author: LaunchMilwaukee

Started: March 6, 2009, 5:02:28 am

Target: Citizens in Southeast Wisconsin

Category: Economy & Business

Supporters:

Goal:

100,000

Goal Progress:

Status

Active

Southeastern Wisconsin is at an important crossroads and is poised to move forward with a transit infrastructure investment project that could provide our region with jobs, economic development opportunities and competitive business advantages. Citizens, businesses and communities throughout the region are taking a leadership role to enhance our transportation system in a way that will help us to better compete for new business and industry in the increasingly global economy and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of our region.

As reported by the Metropolitan Policy Program, U.S. metropolitan areas are the engines of the American economy. U.S. metropolitan areas contain two-thirds of the nation’s population and account for three-quarters of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. The KRM (Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee) commuter rail project would connect our metropolitan region to one of the nation’s leading metropolitan locations- Chicago. This link would result in a great return for the region and would create the connections needed in this increasingly global economy. At the forefront of this regional initiative has been the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

With progress in mind, Governor Doyle has advanced numerous recommendations regarding a regional public transportation system in Wisconsin. The most notable of these recommendations, which we support, is the need for a regional transportation economic development package including a dedicated sales tax for transit of up to 0.5% (Racine and Kenosha Counties are only projected to need 0.2-0.3%). By shifting the source of funding for transit services to a sales tax, we will be paying for transit with a stable, reliable source of funding that is shared with non-property owners and out-of-region visitors.

Imagine having access to a more diverse and talented workforce within minutes anywhere in our region via a reliable and safe transit system. Consider the great opportunities to compete in the global marketplace as our region becomes better connected with Chicago. Regionalism is on the horizon, and it is time that state and local elected officials come together to support a solution.

The time is now to move forward to enhance our transit infrastructure as recommended by Governor Doyle. As elected leaders, it is imperative that you carefully weigh the impact of the proposed dedicated sales tax against the opportunity cost of a weak or bankrupt regional transit system. Upon doing so, it is clear that dedicated funding for transit is the best long-term solution for this region, and we urge you to support Governor Doyle’s RTA legislation as proposed in the 2009-2011 state budget.