9/11/09-Gov. Jim Doyle is pursuing plans to get more people out of their cars in southeastern Wisconsin and put them on commuter rail and buses.
A proposal crafted by the governor and area lawmakers is intended to improve transit options in Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine through a Regional Transit Authority. Milwaukee County would be given authority to increase local sales taxes by 0.5 percent to pay for a rail line and transit service.
Racine and Kenosha counties could get state matching money if they joined in the effort. Doyle said the transit plan also puts the region in good position to secure federal transit aid for the proposed $200 million Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail line.
“Investing in safe, reliable modes of transportation allows people to travel and commute efficiently and it strengthens the economy,” Doyle said in a statement.
Doyle has supported Regional Transit Authorities that serve a population base, rather than any specific municipal jurisdiction, and are independently governed. Among the governor’s priorities, authorities also should provide property tax relief and spend revenue solely on transit.
He wants the plan approved by as early as the fall. If the Legislature endorses the initiative, the Milwaukee County Board would need to pass enabling legislation to implement the tax increase.