Update: September 2, 2010

As we enter September things on the transit scene will start to pick up.  The C.A.T. Steering Committee has met a few times to discuss ideas and strategies for how we move forward and achieve an RTA and dedicated funding for transit in southeastern Wisconsin.   Below are some opportunities for you to get engaged in the issue, as well as some articles we thought you’d find of interest.

Coalition for Advancing Transit Meeting: Thursday, September 16^th at 8:00AM

The meeting will be held at Manpower International, 100 Manpower Place, Milwaukee.  Check-in and Networking will begin at 7:30AM and we should wrap up between 9:30-10:00AM.   We will provide an overview of what’s been happening over the summer, in particular with MCTS and the County Budget, as well as some recommended strategies that the Coalition can utilize in early 2011 to push the newly elected state legislature to act on this issue.   Please contact kristi@uedawi.org if you plan to attend.

Labor Fest – THIS weekend!   Monday,  September 6 from 11:00AM to 7:00PM

This is a wonderful opportunity to get out and get people engaged and turn up the support and visibility for transit.  What better connection than transit and jobs? The ATU 998, Sierra Club, WISPIRG and Transit NOW are planning to be at Labor Fest with a booth, petitions, post card and flyers.   Also, President Barack Obama will return to Milwaukee to celebrate Labor Day at the Milwaukee Labor Council’s Labor Fest!

We need your help to get over 1,000 signed postcards in support of Milwaukee public transit. These cards ask County Executive Walker and County Board Supervisors to support a permanent funding solution for public transit and to stop raising fares and cutting service.   Just a few hours of your time and basic knowledge of transit status is needed—information will be provided.   ATU Local 998 will host the efforts.   Join them to get a ticket, postcards and instructions as early as 9:30AM and no later than 10:30AM at Michigan & 4^th Streets. Look for the ATU Local 998 banner and red shirts.  You need to have a ticket to enter the Summerfest grounds. NOTE: The grounds will close to entry and exit while President Obama is on the ground in Milwaukee!  Because of his visit, they are looking for as much help as can be offered in the morning during the march and at the grounds.

Recent articles

A new study by Todd Swanstrom, Will Winter, and Laura Wiedlocher of the University of Missouri-St. Louis suggests that the U.S. government could produce 180,000 extra jobs in several metropolitan areas by simply shifting spending away from highways and towards transit.

If Transit Investment Produces Jobs, Why Isn’t There More of It? http://americancity.org/columns/entry/2582/

To link to the report by Transportation Equity Network report: http://transportationequity.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=288&Itemid=198

High speed rail continues to spur debate in Wisconsin, especially since it is election season.  Today’s Biz Blog at BizTimes features Kay Plantes, who discusses the big-picture impact this project could have on Wisconsin:

http://www.biztimes.com/blogs/milwaukee-biz-blog/2010/9/2/wake-up-to-the-economic-benefits-of-high-speed-rail

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit

Update – MCTS and the 2011 County Budget

Although legislative action has wound down with the close of the session in spring, transit continues to pop up in the news.  AND, more importantly, Milwaukee County has begun discussion for its next budget – transit is at the forefront and the cuts they are discussing are serious.   Thanks to our friends at the Make It Work Milwaukee Coalition for putting this information together.

Departments have submitted their proposed 2011 budgets to the County Executive – he will consider them as he develops his own proposed budget for the Board to consider.   This is a key time for advocates to share their priorities with the County Executive and ask him to address them in his 2011 budget.   Please take action today – see details below:

Concerns Regarding Proposed Transit Budget

The budget proposed by Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) includes many transit services reductions.  A number of routes are completely eliminated, some route segments are eliminated, as well as reductions in hours of operation.  The proposed budget also includes a proposed increase to the Paratransit fare, and the potential for reductions in the paratransit service area if the state changes the way they reimburse for Title XIX paratransit rides.

Action Requested

• We still have a window of opportunity to influence the County Executive as he prepares his 2011 budget.  Contact him today to let him know how important transit and paratransit services are and urge him to maintain services.
• Contact your County Supervisor and ask them to prioritize funding for transit and paratransit services in the 2011 County Budget.
• Visit the C.A.T. Group Site/Listserv for a full list of proposed service cuts, reductions and contact information for County Supervisors. (page can also be accessed at http://bit.ly/a5QjVQ)

Recent articles

Earlier this week Scott Bernstein from the Center for Neighborhood Technology wrote this editorial that talks about rising transportation costs for individuals and families and the need to act now: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/99366219.html

And not to far south of us, Chicago’s Metropolitan Planning Council reported recently that local lifestyles cause surge in transit demand. The Chicago Tribune released poll results over the weekend showing residents across the region think transit investment is more important than money for roads. Among the key findings:

• By a 2:1 margin, Chicago-area residents said mass transit funding is a higher priority than funding to improve or build expressways and tollways.
• In the suburbs, 52 percent of survey respondents sided with public transit, compared with 32 percent for roads.
• In Chicago, 76 percent favor more transit investment.

For a link to the full article and post:  http://www.metroplanning.org/news-events/article/5931

Is there a way to convince the majority of southeast Wisconsin residents of the same?  Time will tell…

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit

Update from the Coalition for Advancing Transit…

As we head into summer transit happenings have slowed down a bit now that the legislative session is over.  However, there has been some coverage on various issues and projects including KRM, transportation funds in the state budget and the county budget cycle has begun.

Below are some links to articles and stories from the past month – we hope this helps you stay in the loop!  Also remember if you plan to go to any of the festivals in the City of Milwaukee or Brewers games, MCTS is a great way to travel! Visit www.ridemcts.com for details on festival shuttles, game-day buses and more.

Here’s a link to a recent straw poll on transit support – let’s everybody vote!  http://poll.fm/1r88o

And lastly, special thanks to one of our members for posting this fun video from Denmark where a community shows some love for their bus driver on his birthday… http://ow.ly/1ZquC Enjoy!

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit

• There is a coalition that has formed to introduce a state constitutional amendment that would segregate funds raised from the gas tax in a “lock box” for “transportation.” (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/97313129.html)  As currently proposed, this amendment would benefit transit – the funds would be used for roads AND transit.  Transportation Development Association (TDA) posted a recent perspective on this (scroll down to Executive Perspective):  http://magazine.tdawisconsin.org/
  
• Easter Seals Project ACTION’s 2010 Paratransit Online Dialogue begins July 26, 2010…Project ACTION will host a two-week, online event where participants from across the country will have the opportunity to discuss issues pertaining to ADA-complementary paratransit services. The dialogue coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Public transportation and disability services agencies are experiencing challenges in providing ADA paratransit service due to economic conditions and service cuts. Decisions are being made on how to best provide mobility on a tight budget, and in many cases that means cutting service or finding flexible ways to accommodate customers.  Share your experiences, paratransit practices, challenges, and recommendations!  Learn more and sign up for email updates at their website.
• This editorial appeared in the Journal Sentinel Crossroads section a few weeks ago and provides some interesting historical perspective by John Gurda: 150 years and transit’s condition is ‘guarded’ http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/95652824.html
  
• How does transportation policy affect public health? A few recent reports show how.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention became one of the first agencies to weigh- in on the federal transportation reauthorization – and transportation choice is front and center in their recommendations, including promoting healthy community design, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, expanding public transportation options, reducing injury, improving air quality and much more.  Learn more by visiting the Complete Streets blog and scroll down to “Transportation and Health Policy.’  Additionally the American Public Health Association also shows how the U.S. transportation system contributes to soaring health costs and impedes progress towards improving public health.  They show how policy change can have a transformative effect.  Read the Backgrounder or the Complete Report and learn more.
• This recent “People Speak” poll done by the Public Policy Forum and the Center for Urban Initiatives and Research shows strong support for dedicated funding for buses through a sales tax. Great news! Unfortunately most of the coverage has focused on declining support for rail projects. C.A.T. continues to advocate for and support efforts to build a multi-modal regional transportation system, which would include a variety of ways to get around.  The buses need the support NOW….this seems to show they have it and we’ll continue to build on this! http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2010/06/28/story16.html

Rep. Grigsby shines, MCTS free rides and T4America Campaign

An update from the Coalition for Advancing Transit…

On the Federal front, Transportation for America (T4America) has been working to align national, state and local transportation policies with issues such as economic opportunity, energy security, housing and more.  They are focusing on issues that will play a key role in giving families and individuals greater and more appealing options when it comes to transportation – their vision for the 21^st Century.

T4America advocates for more equitable funding for transit at the federal level and this week the Senate introduced new legislation to provide up to $2 billion in grants for transit agencies across the U.S. to preserve vital services.  Learn more about this bill and take action; check out their site and learn more about T4America.

On the Local front…Representative Tamara Grigsby continues to shine when it comes to supporting transit solutions for SE WI.  This week her Op-Ed was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. See below for a message from her and links to the full Op-Ed.

And…the Milwaukee County Transit System’s (MCTS) celebration of “150 Years of Public Transportation” continues on the morning of Wednesday, June 9 with Miller Lite Free Rides on ALL ROUTES from when the buses pull out until 9:00AM. Route and schedule information is available by calling 1-800-FREE-RIDES (1-800-373-3743), by texting “FREERIDES” to 30364 or by visiting www.MillerLiteFreeRides.com.

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit

Dear Friend of Transit,

I wanted to take a moment to pass onto you an opinion piece that’s running in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. We can’t give up on our communities and our regions that depend on public transportation. Please know that I’m committed to continuing this fight.

Best Wishes,
Tamara Grigsby
State Representative, 18^th Assembly District

Link to article >>>

The necessity of transit, By Tamara Grigsby Posted: May 25, 2010

Like the many businesses that support it, public transportation is a cornerstone of any modern, urban economy. Businesses, labor leaders, community advocates, and employers realize the necessity of mass transit.

With so many groups showing continued support for this vital investment, it’s time we all recognize the job creating benefits public transportation provides to our community and region. In a very literal sense, transit means business, which is why we cannot give up on expanding economic opportunity through smart investments in public transportation. A functioning transit system makes sense in terms of the opportunities it creates and the money it saves.

Studies show that a commitment to transit can save residents approximately $1,040 in vehicle, parking, and roadway costs, providing a 277% annual return on transit investments. According to the American Public Transportation Association, households can save an average of $9,293 in transportation costs each year.  This is in addition to savings in the form of congestion reductions, increased traffic safety, and a healthier environment that benefits everyone.

Given the obvious positives, opposition to smart transit investments is perplexing, especially when recent efforts to revitalize the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) could have been tied to direct property tax relief for Milwaukee County.

Throughout the recent debate on regional transportation for Southeastern Wisconsin, businesses highlighted the many successes they were having with new job creation, yet raised concerns as to how they could possibly gain access to a necessary workforce if there were no functioning bus system in Milwaukee.

The combination of public savings, benefits to business growth, and additional development that comes from investing in public transportation underscores how truly essential transit it is to our community and economy.

We cannot forget one of the most important aspects of public transit: the people who use and rely on it.

According to customer surveys taken by those who use buses in Milwaukee County, an overwhelming 70% of riders do not have a car they can count on for travelling to work, the hospital, or a number of other important locations.

According to one estimate, MCTS also uses its paratransit services to provide more than 1 million rides a year to persons with disabilities. Given the number of jobs, businesses, and individual lives that depend on our transit system, the implications of its further erosion will be disastrous.

We must find a way to stop the coming transit tragedy.

Public transit is a smart way to grow the economy, creating a public investment that has vast benefits, both public and private. Failure to invest in this important and economically vital infrastructure will result in nothing short than the continued decay and eventual collapse of Milwaukee County as we once knew it.

The current legislative session is over, but the fight for public transportation is not. Transit means business for everyone, which is why everyone needs to come together for transit as Wisconsin moves forward.

Tamara Grigsby, a Democrat, represents the 18th Assembly District.

Wisconsin Transit Week: May 17-23, 2010

An Update from the Coalition for Advancing Transit…

Next week is Transit Week in Wisconsin! This is a great opportunity for you to support transit and talk about its importance in our community.   Governor Doyle proclaimed May 17 – 23, 2010 Wisconsin Transit Week and encourages all Wisconsin residents this week to consider utilizing one of our many wonderful transit systems as a clean and convenient way to get where they are going. Visit our friends at TDA Wisconsin for a list of WI Transit Week Facts, resources and more:  http://www.tdawisconsin.org/transit_week.iml

Also, in the past couple weeks there has been a lot of discussion about the City of Milwaukee’s proposed streetcar line and other transit projects that are in the pipeline that will help create an intermodal, integrated mass transit network in SE WI.   It is difficult to make the case to support initiatives that are still on paper and estimates regarding costs, benefits, ridership, etc. seem vague.

Yesterday, the Journal Sentinel Editorial Board posted the following: “It seems that nearly all proposals having to do with trains or streetcars are immediately derided as boondoggles — about old-tech choo-choos.  Milwaukee’s proposal for a streetcar line will be no different.  A Milwaukee Connector study committee has voted to seek federal permission to start preliminary engineering work on a $95.8 million downtown streetcar line.  In our view, this is a modest start for something that could be something very big for Milwaukee and the region. But, of course, there will be some who will only see that $95.8 million price tag and conclude the best start for this project would be an end — as in never letting it get started.  We disagree and tell you why in an editorial in tomorrow’s newspaper.  Want to weigh in early?
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/93721049.html For the resulting editorial posted today: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/93725629.html

The Coalition remains committed to its 4 principles, the first of which is “A vibrant, modern TRANSIT SYSTEM is a fundamental part of a successful and sustainable economy in the region.” So we encourage you all to keep “talking transit” and ensure that this issue remains visible in the community. The Steering Committee met last week and all agreed that we are committed to continue fighting for the solutions we know are needed to save, support and invest in transit, and most importantly, our local bus systems.

Stay tuned for more information and opportunities to stay engaged with transit over the next few months. In the meantime, celebrate WI Transit Week by checking out the opportunities for alternative transportation present in our local bus system (including bike racks!), who is celebrating 150 years of service to the Milwaukee metro area:  www.ridemcts.org.

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit

Celebrating Transit and our work to create an intermodal, regional transit network

April 29, 2010 UPDATE

Despite the disappointing outcome of the past legislative session for local transit systems throughout the state of Wisconsin, the fight goes on!  At the Coalition for Advancing Transit, we believe it is absolutely necessary that we continue to push for the solutions required to save and invest in our local bus systems and other forms of transit. 

The ability to form and fund an RTA is a critical launching point for creating an integrated, regional transit system that will provide economic benefits to cities, counties and regions in Wisconsin.  In the past two days, both C.A.T. and Transit Now have released statements to the media and elected officials regarding the most recent outcome:  http://tiny.cc/ipdgx

The Racine Journal Times had a nice editorial afterwards (“Legislature Needs to Act” http://ow.ly/1EM6q) and our friends at UrbanMilwaukee had their take on the outcome too: http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2010/04/26/rta-on-hold-for-now/

So in that fighting spirit, we encourage you to stay engaged as we move forward – we are talking to our other advocates and partners about where we go from here and will be in touch soon.  See below for more links to MCTS’s 150^th Anniversary celebration, National Train Day and research from the Pew Charitable Trust.

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit 

There are plenty of reasons in the next couple weeks to celebrate the benefits that transit brings to our community. 

On May 7, 2010 the Milwaukee County Transit System will celebrate “150 Years of Transit” beginning with rides all day for FREE on Route 15 (Oakland-Kinnickinnic), in honor of the first transit route, which operated on a portion of the current Route 15. Northwestern Mutual is sponsoring the rides, which last from start to end of service.  MCTS will also unveil the new look for the 90 new Clean Diesel Buses which will be arriving this summer on May 7.  

From the days of the horsedrawn carriage to the streetcar to the trackless trolleys to the near-zero emissions buses arriving this summer, the incredible support of our community partners underlines that transit was vital then and is vital now.   The 150th Celebration will last for six months: http://ridemcts.com/news/index.asp?id=1430

On May 8, 2010, the 3rd Annual National Train Day will be a FREE coast-to-coast celebration.  In Milwaukee, celebrate with the first ever exhibit at the downtown station to include two model train layouts by The Milwaukee Lionel RR Club, information from Operation Lifesaver and travel agents, giveaways, and more.  Held from 10AM to 4PM at the Amtrak Milwaukee Inter-modal station, 433 West St. Paul Avenue.  Celebrations will also be held in Wisconsin in Columbus, LaCrosse and Sturtevant: http://www.nationaltrainday.com/events/other/

Why celebrate National Train Day?  Well, Amtrak has already carried over 13 million riders in the first 6 months of their fiscal year, with the busy season of summer travel yet to come.  That is about 100,000 more riders than the 13.5 million posted in FY 2008, which turned out to be Amtrak’s best ridership year in company history when America’s passenger railroad carried 28.7 million passengers.  Also, every single route is up in March.  One of C.A.T.’s “A-Team” members put that in perspective for us – this would make Amtrak the nation’s 8th largest domestic ‘airline,’ with nearly the passenger load of Continental (31,954,535) or Northwest (32,624,283).  See the stats at Amtrak News Releases: http://ow.ly/1EMeJ  (Scroll down to April 8, 2010: “Amtrak Ridership on Record-breaking pace”)

And from the research file…the Pew Research Trust released a study that shows highway users pay just 51% of their way, rail users pay better than 2/3s.  Highways, which span over four million miles in the United States, are increasingly paid for by ”non-user” fees—including sales, income and property taxes.  The report shows that in recent years, these revenues are funding a greater share of highway construction and maintenance projects, with a corresponding decrease in the percentage of user contributions—including gas taxes, vehicle registrations and tolls.  So for those that argue that roads are fully paid for through user fees and transit is more subsidy we don’t need, this is an interesting counterpoint.  http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=56233

Thank You & Update from the Coalition for Advancing Transit

Dear Friends and Supporters,

On April 22^nd the Wisconsin State Legislature ended their legislative session for this year without acting on AB-282.  This bill would have enabled local communities throughout the State to form and fund Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) and dedicate local funding sources to support buses and other local transit systems. 

First of all, on behalf of the C.A.T. Steering Committee, WE THANK YOU for your participation, your calls, letters and emails, and most of all your visible support for resolving the crisis facing our local transit systems.  We would not have gotten this far without your collective efforts!

Also on our list to thank are key legislative champions who worked tirelessly over the past 2 months to move AB-282 forward and to advocate for its passage among their colleagues.  In particular, we would like to commend:

• State Representatives Peter Barca, Tamara Grigsby, Chris Sinicki and Cory Mason
• State Senators Lena Taylor and John Lehman
• Assembly Transportation Committee Chair John Steinbrink and Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan
• The many local elected officials throughout southeastern Wisconsin who displayed great leadership and public support for this legislation. 

It is clear that a significant number of constituents recognize the need to support efforts to save and invest in our local transit systems.

NEXT STEPS

Key members of our Coalition are now discussing possible options for where we go from here.  It is clear to everyone who has worked to support this legislation that the significant impacts of leaving this issue unresolved cannot be understated.  Right now, local communities are left to face funding shortfalls on their own, leaving them with no choice but to start significantly cutting service and raising fares in 2011.  Business growth will be stifled, people will lose access to jobs and education, and many others will be forced to make hard choices because they will no longer be able to get around independently.  The cost of inaction ensures there will be a wide array of economic consequences for this region.

What Can You Do?

• Write a Letter to the Editor – let them know what you think about the outcome of this legislative session.  Instructions for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel are below; a similar process is usually followed for other papers (Racine Journal Times, etc.)  Check their websites for details.
• Write a letter, email or call your Legislators and ask them what their Plan B is.  What will they do to ensure that local communities have the tools they need to create a regional transit system and prevent significant cuts in service in 2011?  Find your legislators:    http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx or 1-800-362-9472
• Write a letter, email or call the Legislative Champions we listed above and thank them for their support and efforts.  Encourage them to continue working with us to find a solution.

Stay tuned…we will be in touch with C.A.T. members over the next few weeks with an update of where we go from here.   As one of our Steering Committee members stated this morning, he feels “empowered in the faith that small bricks make big buildings.”  The “small bricks” in this Coalition give us all a lot of faith that we can do what’s right for transit in our community!

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit

Letter to the Editor Instructions for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

“Timely, well-written, provocative opinions on topics of interest in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are given first preference.  All letters are subject to editing.  Letters selected for publication in the newspaper will also be posted on JSOnline.com.” 

GUIDELINES:

1. Approximately 200 word limit.
2. Include your name, street address and daytime phone.
3. They do not acknowledge receipt of submissions.
4. They don’t publish poetry, anonymous or open letters.
5. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months.

Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0371 or Fax: (414)-223-5444 or E-mail: jsedit@journalsentinel.com.

Countdown to Thursday – our last chance to get the RTA DONE!

We thank you all for your hard work, support and calls/contacts to legislators over the past year.  We know that we have reached out and asked a lot of you, especially in the last 6-8 weeks.  But consider tomorrow, Thursday April 22^nd, transit’s very own “D-Day.”   

 The final vote on AB-282 has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 22^nd along with reconsideration of amendment 2 requiring a binding referendum in Milw Co.   A senate vote for tomorrow must also be scheduled by Senate Leader Russ Decker.

The amendment for reconsideration mandates a binding referendum in Milwaukee County to allow a sales tax for transit and removal of transit costs from the property tax levy.  This amendment was passed even though a referendum in Nov. 2008 was already approved by Milwaukee County voters to do the very same thing.  Currently, the RTA bill’s language states that this suffices.

This added referendum takes us backward to move forward and wastes valuable time and money.  The people have spoken on this issue and Milwaukee’s crisis is urgent.  Let’s move forward and solve the transit crisis now.

Your Actions Are Needed Today and Tomorrow: THIS IS IT!
Our last opportunity…We need to give it everything!

1. Call your Representative and Senator ASAP, this is CRUCIAL especially if you live in these districts:  Reps. Cullen, Staskunus, Krusick, Honadel, and Stone.  Senators Sullivan and Darling—all of whom plan to vote NO or are undecided.
2. Call Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker and tell him you support AB-282 and want the Senate to schedule a vote.  877-496-0472 or Sen.Decker@legis.wisconsin.gov

CONTACTS:

• Find your legislators:  http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx or 1-800-362-9472
• 13^th David Cullen:  — 888-534-0013— Rep.Cullen@legis.wisconsin.gov
• 15^th Tony Staskunas: — 888-534-0015 — Rep.Staskunas@legis.wisconsin.gov 
• 21^st Mark Honadel — 888-534-0021 — Rep.Honadel@legis.wisconsin.gov
• 7^th Peggy Krusick— 608-2661733 — Rep.Krusick@legis.wisconsin.gov
• 82^nd Jeff Stone — 888-534-0082 — Rep.Stone@legis.wisconsin.gov
• 8^th Alberta Darling — 608-266-5830 — Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov
• 5^th Jim Sullivan — 608-266-2512 — Sen.sullivan@legis.wisconsin.gov 

Throughout yesterday’s debate in the Assembly on AB-282 a great deal of progress was made—and many attacks on transit were thwarted.  Our deep appreciation to our unflappable transit champions in the Assembly.  They pulled out all the stops yesterday:  Our thanks goes out to Reps Peter Barca, Tamara Grigsby, Chris Sinicki, Cory Mason, and others.  If you get a chance, send them an email or call and express your thanks.

See below for reasons why we need to act NOW to support AB-282.  This bill gives SE WI and all communities in Wisconsin the ability to vote locally to create RTAs and save our steeply declining local transit systems, create jobs and economic growth, and give people in SE WI much needed property tax relief.

We thank you again for your support and efforts – remember, now is our time to shine and show how important transit is to our local communities!

 AB-282 is about JOBS and economic development that we desperately need!

• There are many trades people and entire neighborhoods that are at 50% unemployment!  How can we not pass this jobs bill?
• Milwaukee will lose 1/3 of its bus service beginning in January 2011.  Racine and Kenosha are not far behind.
• This is in addition to the 20% service cuts and 50% fare increases that have taken place over the past 7 years. 60,000 jobs will become inaccessible by transit if we continue down this path.
• Dollars will stay in communities that they are raised in and local elected officials must vote to create the RTA’s and designate funding sources and amounts.  
• This legislation enables local communities to form an RTA.  No community is forced to belong to an RTA.
• If legislators oppose the RTA, ask them what their Plan B is for their constituents when their buses are cut and they can’t get to work or to school or the doctor’s office, and those whose jobs and economic development do not materialize.

Update on RTA Bill – we’re still fighting to save transit!

Yesterday the State Legislature went through a marathon session that lasted until this morning.  They caucused and debated for some time on amendments to AB-282 in the wee hours of the night.  They approved amendments to require “no lobbying with funds from the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SERTA)” and “removal of Walworth County” from the bill.  There was also an amendment introduced to require Milwaukee County to go through another referendum process – hold a binding referendum instead of the advisory referendum that was already approved by Milwaukee County voters in 2008 – but it was tabled.

The vote on the bill itself was moved to Thursday, April 22^nd along with reconsideration of the Milwaukee referendum amendment.  There were a number of state legislators that worked very hard to try to ensure that the bill continues to move forward and local communities are enabled to put in place the measures needed to save and invest in their bus systems.

 The job is not done yet!   We must get this done on Thursday in the Assembly and the Senate.  Let’s not take steps backward by rehashing the transit referendum, why should we go backward to move forward?

Call your legislators TODAY and FIGHT FOR THE RTA BILL!   Tell them you support this legislation – it will allow Milwaukee County to form an RTA and dedicate a 0.5% sales tax for transit while removing it from the property tax, as was ALREADY APPROVED by Milwaukee County voters in the 2008 Advisory Referendum.

• Visit the County tabs on this website for legislative contacts.  Don’t know who your legislator is?  Call 1-800-362-9472 or visit “Who Represents Me?” to search by address.

• If your legislators are Representatives Colon, Cullen, Honadel, Krusik, Staskunas, Stone and Young OR Senators Sullivan and Lehman, it is VERY important you call them AGAIN and let them know of your support.
• If you get a chance, call and thank Representatives Peter Barca, Jeff Stone and Tamara Grigsby for their tireless work to keep this bill moving forward.

Also….PLAN TO GO TO MADISON ON THURSDAY APRIL 22, EARTH DAY!  Get to the Capitol Building by 10:00AM in Room 412E for a briefing.  Then, they will drop into offices – let legislators know what your expectations are and why the RTA is the best solution. 

On Thursday the Assembly and hopefully the Senate will be hearing RTA bills and deciding the future of transit in WI.  Be there and fight for the RTA Bill in person!  Many other advocates and supporters will be there.  If you plan to travel to Madison, please let Kerry know: kthomas@transitnow.org. 

We will keep you updated as we hear things on Thursday!

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit

RTA Bill scheduled for a vote Tuesday April 20!

AB-282 has been scheduled for an Assembly vote on Tuesday, April 20.   Our state legislators need to MOVE FORWARD with legislation that would allow Wisconsin communities to form regional transit authorities (RTA) and ensure that local bus systems get the investment and infrastructure support they NEED through dedicated funding.  Bus route miles in Milwaukee County have been reduced by nearly 20% between 2001 and 2007, and we will see further cuts if this legislation does not pass. 

If things go well in the Assembly on Tuesday,we hope the Senate vote will occur Thursday.  This is a CRITICAL vote and it is not clear if the votes are there to pass the bill.  This is the best opportunity that we will have for a long time and your advocacy is urgently needed.

 What do we need YOU to do?

• Contact your assembly rep and state senator by 5:00 PM TODAY.  Every call makes a difference. 
• Visit the C.A.T. Files Page to access a list of SE WI legislators and their contact information.  Don’t know who your legislator is? Call 1-800-362-9472 or visit “Who Represents Me?” to search by address.
• If your legislators are Representatives Colon, Cullen, Honadel, Staskunas, Stone and Williams OR Senators Sullivan and Lehman, it is VERY important you call them.  They need to know there is support for this bill from their constituents.

Tell them you support AB-282 and ask them to support it because it will help our economy by providing dedicated funding to maintain our current transit system, as well as increase transit services, and connect workers to jobs.  Remember to state your full name and home address and phone number.

If you’re interested in joining fellow transit supporters in this all-out effort, join them TONIGHT from 5:30 to 7:00PM for FREE appetizers and soda at either Café Hollander in Wauwatosa or Antigua in West Allis and help them reach out to supporters and legislators. Details: www.launchmilwaukee.com.

As a fellow C.A.T. member stated this weekend, this legislation is about JOBS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  Let’s ensure that Milwaukee is a region where people CHOOSE to live.  And lastly, what better way to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day (which was started in Wisconsin) by encouraging our legislators to allow local communities to invest in public transit! 

Moving Forward Together
The Coalition for Advancing Transit