I appreciated Sam Stevenson’s column endorsing the candidacy of Michael Johnson. Like him, The Capital Times and the Sierra Club, I am impressed with Michael Johnson’s smart and precise stands on the issues. I’m looking forward to working with him on the Dane County Board.

My particular interest in county policy is the area of transportation. For the past 10 years I have attended meetings of the Transport 2020 commission, which has studied ideas for transit improvements for Dane County. We felt that we had a pretty comprehensive proposal, which we

submitted to the federal government seeking its assistance in funding the plan. However, the feds found it wanting in two respects — a governance mechanism and a source of local funding.

Here it is, 2010, and last year the Wisconsin Legislature solved both our problems by authorizing Dane County to establish a regional transit authority, or RTA. The County Board accepted the invitation, passing a resolution establishing an RTA this past autumn. We promised to hold a

referendum on the 0.5 percent sales tax envisioned by the Transport 2020 commission and authorized by the enabling legislation passed by the Wisconsin Legislature.

Comes now candidate Analiese Eicher, who “supports an RTA” but will not commit to supporting the funding mechanism needed to implement its goals. Um, hello? So what does “support” mean?

In contrast, Michael Johnson is prepared to work with me and other transit advocates to pass a referendum, which will be on the ballot as soon as November of this year. We will have a fight on our hands — our local tea party anti-government activists have been fighting our plans for regional transit tooth and nail.

We need decisive leaders who will speak out unequivocally for what we need. That’s why I’m enthusiastically supporting Michael Johnson’s candidacy for Dane County Board. He’ll be a tremendous asset for transportation improvements.

Sincerely,

Al Matano

Dane County Board, District 11

Chair, Madison Area

Transportation Planning Board