Governor Doyle Moves Toward RTA Consensus in SE Wisconsin

September, 8, 2009

Today, surrounded by transit supporters at the gleaming Inter-modal Passenger Station in Milwaukee, Governor Doyle again showed his commitment to job growth and economic development in SE Wisconsin when he outlined his framework for a regional transit authority.

His proposal takes a step toward building consensus in the region and resolving the impasse that has slowed progress in gaining urgently needed dedicated funding for buses, and making KRM Commuter Rail (KRM) competitive in gaining federal approvals and millions in federal infrastructure dollars. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently approved the KRM Draft Environmental Impact Study but is unlikely to advance KRM without adequate funding for buses and a regional structure for transit. Public hearings on the KRM project are taking place September 14-16 (more information below.)

Doyle's plan demonstrates to the FTA that we are moving toward a single regional transit authority, and resolving our most urgent transit needs by creating a dedicated funding source for Milwaukee County transit. Under the Governor’s priorities, RTAs also would provide property tax relief and be focused solely on transit.

The new RTA plan is the product of an intensive effort by Doyle’s office to reach out to local leaders, understand the critical issues in each area, and then develop creative solutions that address the many of the most challenging barriers, such as maintaining local control of funds and bus service by giving each county independence in funding and managing their transit, while providing incentives for them to merge into the umbrella RTA when each is ready.

Doyle was clear in stating his hopes of resolving this RTA legislation dilemma by the end of 2009 in order to avoid the dramatic transit cuts that will begin in Milwaukee in January under current funding, and to keep KRM on track.

Although the Governors announcement is a framework and many questions and details will need to be filled in over the coming few weeks, it is clear that his plan has expaned on the determination and committment of legislators and leaders to forge new consensus in the region and set a direction for the legislature to flesh out, fine tune, and build on. Time is limited: the legislative session begins September 15 and the last floor session in 2009 is scheduled for November 5th. Transit cuts in Milwaukee will begin in January if no new funding source is approved.

Doyle pushes transit plan for southeastern Wisconsin

Sean Ryan, Daily Reporter

September 8, 2009

Doyle proposes new option to fund RTA

Steve Schultz, Journal Sentinel

Sept. 8, 2009

See Governor Doyle's  press release

See Governor Doyle's RTA principles for SE Wisconsin