Short-sighted Republican State legislators reinforce Milwaukee's ongoing march to mediocrity:
State legislators who voted last week against a reasonable funding plan for a commuter rail line voted against the economic interest of southeastern Wisconsin.
From the Journal Sentinel
Posted: June 3, 2007Republicans on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee did southeastern Wisconsin a disservice last week when they voted against a $13 rental car tax increase to fund a commuter rail line linking Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha to each other and to transit in northern Illinois.
In rejecting a reasonable way to fund the rail line, the eight Republicans on the committee cast their ballots against progress and economic development; the eight Democrats voted for the hike. One saving grace is that the measure can still be introduced on the legislative floor, although prospects look bleak for approval in this budget. The other saving grace would be if someone who voted against the rental car tax increase came up with a sound alternative.
Lots of pieces will have to come together if the efforts of the Milwaukee 7 regional economic development group and other groups are to have any success in growing the economy of southeastern Wisconsin. As was evident at the Milwaukee 7 meeting Wednesday, one of those pieces is the KRM Commuter Link.
The rail line has the support of the Milwaukee 7 and much of the business community in Racine and Kenosha counties. Even some businesses in Waukesha County understand what an important role the line could play in economic development. The line will not only link employees to businesses. KRM supporters also expect significant residential and business growth along the route. The KRM is a winning proposition, especially if it is linked financially and physically - as it should be - to local bus services.
The $13 rental car tax increase was probably not the ideal way to fund the line. A new sales tax or a set-aside from the current sales tax would be preferable, but those suggestions ran afoul of several local leaders, including Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
But the rental car tax increase - which would have been imposed in Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine counties - was a reasonable alternative proposed by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority. Now, someone needs to find a better idea.
On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Doyle told the Journal Sentinel Editorial Board that southeastern Wisconsin would have to show strong consensus support for the KRM if a funding source is to be found and if the rail line is to become a reality. Consensus exists among citizens and businesses. They realize what the rail line could mean.
Sadly, consensus support doesn't exist among political leaders in southeastern Wisconsin. Leaders such as Barrett, McReynolds and Walker and legislators who voted "no" on Thursday - such as Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) and Rep. Robin Voss (R-Racine), who all represent parts of southeastern Wisconsin - need to find consensus and come up with a funding plan that will work.
For more information on the KRM project, go to www.TransitNOW.org or www.sewrpc.org/krmonline
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