Officials from Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties attended an Assembly public hearing Thursday in support of a bill that would establish a southeast Regional Transit Authority in Wisconsin.
Under the bill, local RTAs could be established in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. Local jurisdictions could also combine to make joint transit authorities.
In the original version of the bill, funding would come from an increase of .5 percent in the Milwaukee sales tax and from rental car fees and other taxes in Racine and Kenosha.
However, a recent amendment submitted would get rid of the taxes and fees in the latter two cities.
The bill’s main goal is to strengthen Wisconsin’s southeast transit systems so the state’s application for funding from the Federal Transit Administration to build a commuter rail line between the three cities will be successful.
“Funding public transit in Milwaukee county is definitely a problem, as it is in Racine and Kenosha also, and in order to receive federal grants, we need this bill to promote a comprehensive approach on transit which includes local transportation like the bus system,” said Matt Egerer, spokesperson for Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha.
Milwaukee Supervisor Christopher Larson, District 14, said at the hearing that Milwaukee is falling behind in terms of transit systems, and if the Legislature fails to pass the bill, Milwaukee will become less competitive in the regional economy.
“I’m sick of falling behind. I’m sick of falling way behind the rest of the country and the rest of the world,” Larson said.
Currently, the Milwaukee bus system has been facing reductions in routes and increases in fares, and has been relying on state aid and local property taxes, according to a statement from Barca. The FTA also made it clear to obtain federal funding for the Milwaukee-Racine-Kenosha line, the bus system needs to be fixed.
Anita Gulotta-Connelly, managing director of the Milwaukee County Transit System, said at the hearing passing the bill is vital because 70 percent of people who use the bus system have no other mode of transportation to get to work.
She added that between 2001 and 2010, the transit system has had to reduce service by 20 percent and has had to increase fare by 50 percent.
“The crisis is real and the crisis is now,” she said. “The people of Milwaukee have asked you for their help. They’ve passed a referendum that asks you to allow them to tax them in order to continue to provide this vital service to the community. They are not asking you to enact a tax, they are not asking you for money.”
Shahla Werner, director of the Wisconsin chapter of the Sierra Club, said her organization supports the bill and that Wisconsin is one of the last states to allow communities to band together and form the best public transit for their citizens.
“We need to find more sustainable funding for our transit systems that will allow improved mobility for everyone,” Werner said. “Communities with good transit are winning communities.”
