http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/07/editorial1.html

Friday, July 4, 2008

Regional way better on transit

The Business Journal of Milwaukee

You have to give business leaders and Milwaukee County Board members credit for at least trying to push through a possible funding solution for the Milwaukee area's ailing transit system.

But a proposed one-half of 1 percent increase in the county's sales tax to fund the Milwaukee County Transit System faces a certain veto from County Executive Scott Walker, no known legislative support necessary for state approval and the possibility of hurting county retailers.

As several retailers pointed out in The Business Journal's June 27 issue, an increase in the sales tax would create a "tax island" that would hurt many businesses.

There is no doubt that in the current economic downturn, some residents would make the short trip to any of the surrounding counties to buying expensive items and save money.

Instead, it would be better for business and community leaders to push forward a regional funding approach that would help rescue the bus system, along with implementing commuter rail.

The pot of gold that still sits untapped is the $91.5 million in federal funds set aside 17 years ago to improve transit in the Milwaukee area. But Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett still cannot agree on how to use the funds.

Walker and Barrett need to act like leaders and figure that out quickly to finally move the transit issue forward.

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