Time for action on funding KRM commuter rail
by GARY BECKER AND JOHN ANTARAMIAN

According to historical records, Wisconsin adopted the motto "Forward"
in 1851, reflecting the state's continuous drive to be a national
leader.

As it applies to our local transportation system, those who adopted
this motto would be encouraged by the significant progress that has
been made in the past year to really study the funding challenges
facing local transit and the proposed KRM commuter rail.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has been
consistent in its objective to study both transit and KRM, and advance
ideas to ensure these systems are viable.

The RTA's proposal to fund the KRM with a dedicated source of rental
car fees is the only plan with broad support that is ready to move
forward.

The business and civic leadership in Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee
counties has been a strong force in driving this proposal.
The rental car fee presents us with a critical opportunity to indeed
move forward with the KRM, which is projected to support billions in
economic development and has received the endorsement of business
groups from throughout the region.

Although the state's founders intended for Wisconsin to be a national
leader, our state has fallen dramatically behind in terms of rail
transit solutions. Of the top 50 cities in the nation, only a very few
do not have a commuter rail transit system.

The KRM commuter rail line is broadly supported for its economic and
environmental benefits, and will be funded with a dedicated revenue
stream that is supported by the mayors and county executives from
throughout the KRM region.

We need to be able to prove that our region has the ability to unite
for shared causes and make things happen that will benefit the region.
Racine Mayor Gary Becker and Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian