RTA legislation proposed in Governor Doyle's Budget:

• The Governor recommends a permanent RTA for southeastern Wisconsin (SE RTA) to include the counties of Kenosha, Milwaukee and the urbanized area of Racine, which is currently defined as the area east of I-94 in Racine County.

• The legislation also authorizes the establishment of similar RTAs in Dane County (DC RTA) and the Fox Valley (UFCMPA RTA).

• To join the SE RTA, the governing bodies of Milwaukee County, Kenosha County or any municipality located in the urbanized portion of Racine County must adopt a resolution authorizing its membership.

• Enabling legislation provides a mechanism whereby other municipalities from Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties, or the counties as a whole may join the RTA at some future date by adopting a resolution to join the SE RTA.

• The SE RTA is enabled to levy up to 0.5 percent sales tax as a dedicated source of funding to support bus transit, commuter rail and other transit projects in the region.

• The SE RTA will be governed by a board of seven directors to be appointed and approved by Kenosha County (1), City of Kenosha (1), City of Racine (1), Milwaukee County (1), City of Milwaukee (1) and the Governor of Wisconsin (2).

• The SE RTA is authorized to subcontract with current transit operators for local bus transit service, or assume operations following negotiations with participating municipalities.

• All RTAs will be granted bonding authority for transit projects. Bonds will be authorized by a resolution of each RTA’s board of directors.

Key facts regarding the Governor’s recommendations:

• The existing RTA endorses shifting transit costs from the property tax to a regional sales tax, which draws from a larger pool than just property tax owners. Up to 30 percent of sales tax will be paid by persons living outside the region.

• Establishing the SE RTA will allow us to strengthen our transit infrastructure, connecting residents with nearly one million jobs within one mile of proposed commuter rail stations along the N-S corridor to Chicago.

• Creation of a permanent SE RTA allows for restoration of transit routes, increased frequency of service and the modernization of our current transit system, including the addition of a commuter rail line, and provides for the integration of separate transit systems to more efficiently serve people and businesses in our region.

• Under the proposed legislation, the SE RTA is allowed to establish local county-wide transit planning groups in each county consisting of members appointed by local elected officials. These groups can develop a transit service plan and budget that can be submitted to the SE RTA. The SE RTA can then use the transit revenue to prioritize and fund the recommended transit plans, including existing transit needs within and between the counties, as well as new elements recommended by the local transit groups. The local transit systems and groups can be expected to participate in annual audits with the RTA.