Say measure doesn’t include funding for existing county transit

by Barbara White
In a rare show of unity between two governmental entities, Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway and Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines came together Tuesday to call on Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Scott Walker to reject any commuter rail proposal that does not include funding for existing mass transit in Milwaukee County.

The two government leaders held a joint news conference in the city hall rotunda and were joined by County Supervisors Elizabeth Coggs-Jones, Michael Mayo, Sr., Toni Clark, Marina Dimitrijevic and Aldermen, Bob Bauman, Michael D'Amato, Michael Murphy and Willie Wade.

Before the news conference, the Council approved a resolution supporting the planned Kenosha Racine Milwaukee (KRM) commuter link train line, but want it to be funded in a way that also takes the Milwaukee County Transit system off the property tax.

The Council also rejected a proposed $13 rental car tax increase to pay for the proposed KRM Commuter Link.

The unprecedented coalition comes on the heels of last week's Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) 6-0 vote to place a $13 fee on all rental cars to pay for new commuter trains connecting the city to its southern suburbs and to Racine and Kenosha.

In essence, all the money would come out of Milwaukee, but the city would get no direct benefit in stabilizing and improving the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS). Forty percent of Milwaukee residents ride county buses.

Both county and city appointees George Torres and Sharon Robinson voted to support the measure to cut Milwaukee transit out. A number of observers close to the transit debate reportedly said Torres and Robinson were told to support the measure. However, the observers stressed the mayor and county executive will be held accountable as it relates to whether or not they will reject the commuter rail proposal.

The RTA also delayed action on finding a dedicated funding source for the MCTS, which provides an extensive route network that is easily accessible to county residents from all walks of life. "I’m particularly disappointed the RTA is ignoring the needs of low-income and minority residents in our community," Holloway said during the news conference.

The coalition also called on Barrett and Walker to direct their appointees to find a non-property tax dedicated funding source for MCTS. Holloway reportedly stated that without a separate funding source, the buses will face more service cuts and fare increases.

Barrett will reportedly unveil a plan next week that will outline how $98.5 million will be spent in combination with local mass transit. No further details were given.

Holloway said he was stunned that an urban mayor (Barrett) who is a Democrat would support the KRM plan. "I do not know what deal he has cut, but it (the KRM Commuter Link) will not go into the city and will only benefit Racine and Kenosha. I expect this from County Executive Walker, but I am surprised that an urban mayor would support this. There seems to be little difference between the two (Barrett and Walker) now.

We are not necessarily opposed to the $13 fee hike per rental car. It is a progressive idea, but a sales tax would reduce our taxes if the transit system were off the property tax, Holloway states.

Thanking Holloway for his leadership on the issue and for forming the coalition, Hines said while he and the Council want to support the RTA in providing the funds needed to deal with the city and county's transportation needs, the citizens of Milwaukee must be protected first and foremost.

"Milwaukee is one of the few cities in which does not have public transit that is supported by a sales tax," Hines said at the news conference.

"We are encouraging the county executive and the mayor or any other entity that could assist us in taking public transportation off the property tax roll.

Alderman Michael D’Amato said a sense of urgency exists in Milwaukee County transit. "We need an efficient and modern transit system in Milwaukee and we must address the issue," he said. "We must place our faith in the hands of Governor Doyle and the Legislature now. Our transit system is deteriorating in Milwaukee County. Both governmental bodies of the coalition will send lobbyist to Madison to discuss the situation.

The Council and Board reportedly want Governor Jim Doyle and the state legislature to find another way to pay for both trains and buses. However, the lawmakers stopped short of favoring a sales tax-which is the primary way in most cities to fund public transit. Nor did they present an alternative to the car rental tax.

Alderman Wade stated county transit is vital to the city's seniors, the disabled, workers, low-income residents and MPS students, adding that over 40% of the citizens don't own a car.

A resolution passed by the County Board last year affirms its top transit priority is identifying a non-property tax dedicated funding alternative for the ongoing operation of the existing bus service. Taking transit off the property tax rolls provides real relief for homeowners.

With a dedicated funding source for transit, property taxes on a $150,000 home in the city would go down about $100 a year. "Taking transit off the property tax rolls means reducing the burden on property taxpayers permanently," Holloway said. "The majority of Milwaukee County Board members and Milwaukee Common Council members feel this is the most appropriate method of funding transit in Milwaukee County."