SE WI Transit Forum

Link to MacIver Institute video of event:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMUhYi4VclY&feature=player_embeddedStatement of Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds

March 22, 2010

Few issues have caused more controversy and confusion in southeastern Wisconsin than transit, partly because different counties have different perspectives. 

Milwaukee County has issues with its bus system countywide.  In Racine and Kenosha Counties, traditional bus service is largely limited to the principal cities and adjacent communities.  For many Milwaukee County residents, commuter rail is a non-issue, but some groups in Racine and Kenosha Counties consider it important.

My positions on a transit authority are consistent, principled, and not county-specific.
First, transit authority legislation must not force local governments to participate.  It must let individual jurisdictions—in Racine County, that means individual municipalities—decide whether to participate.

Second, if there is to be a new tax to support transit—bus, train, or both—the people deserve a voice, through the referendum process.

Third, even if a majority of the people in one or more municipalities agree to new taxes for transit purposes, the revenues from those taxes must not be used to support transit in other localities.  We don’t want our tax dollars subsidizing Milwaukee County buses, and Milwaukee County residents don’t want their money being spent down here.

Fourth, I am adamantly opposed to creating any transit authority, whether or not it crosses county lines, if its governing body is not elected by the people it serves. Individuals who have the power to impose and spend taxes should be elected to those jobs and personally responsible to the voters.  It’s a simple matter of taxation and representation.

While I do not claim to speak for the Racine County Board of Supervisors, I am confident that they are fundamentally in agreement. 

In February 2009, the Racine County Board adopted, 13-10, a resolution that contained the points made above.  The supervisors who voted “nay” did so, not because they disagreed with these principles, but because they still found the pending proposals for transit authority legislation too troubling.  The six east county supervisors who voted “nay” strenuously opposed a potential sales tax, at least without a referendum.  The four opponents from the west end worried that their constituents would ultimately pay for a transit authority that would benefit them little, if at all. 

On April 13^th, the County Board will consider a resolution that would put this question to an advisory referendum in November:

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  Should any new tax to support transit or rail services, such as a sales tax or local vehicle registration fee, be permitted in any part of Racine County?

If the County Board passes a resolution calling for a November referendum—and I am confident that it will—I shall be very pleased to sign it into law.

Letter from Van Wanggaard

March 23, 2010

 Hello Racine County Taxpayers. 

As the debate heats up once again over the proposed Kenosha-Milwaukee-Racine rail line, I thought I would take this opportunity and communicate my position on the issue.  I currently am serving my fourth term on the Racine County Board of Supervisors, and am challenging incumbent senator John Lehman for the 21^st State Senate District seat.

I do NOT support the current plan for KRM given the economic challenges facing our state and Racine County.  We do not have the population density or the economic base to support the project.  The numbers that have been floated are already being determined to have been grossly underestimated, with actual long-term costs significantly higher.  There has not been any solid data presented to local or state officials to show that ridership levels will be high enough, ticket prices will be affordable enough, and commute time will be efficient enough to make this project worthwhile.

As I listen to people at their doors, almost all are concerned (as I am) about how this will be paid for.   KRM, as presented, is NOT self-sustaining, and most Racine County citizens have been vocal in their opposition to a tax hike to pay for it.  Until we are presented with airtight data to back rail supporters’ claims that KRM will pay for itself, we can only assume that massive subsidization through the diversion of transportation dollars will be the end result.

While Racine County is struggling with double-digit unemployment, and the City of Racine holds the second highest unemployment rate in the state, it doesn’t make sense to force yet another tax down Racine taxpayers’ throats.  While I agree with KRM proponents that job creation should be our top priority, I disagree with the notion that KRM is the way to go about it.  We should be focusing on reducing the tax burden and driving economic growth through pro-business policies rather than squabbling over which new tax to burden residents with. 

Finally, I am opposed to the Regional Transportation Authority for the sole reason that it is an unelected body with the power to levy taxes and authority over eminent domain issues.  Members of the RTA should be elected, not appointed, if they are to have these powers.

I am always open to hearing new, innovative transit solutions that will help move people and drive economic growth.  But I will NOT throw my support behind a proposal that has no solid financial data to support it and will require a tax increase to sustain it.

Thank you and God Bless.

Van Wanggaard

Statement from Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser to

the Southeastern Wisconsin Transportation Forum:

“I’m sorry that I cannot be there tonight to talk to all of you about the KRM issue in person. I had only learned about your forum on Monday afternoon. I had a previous engagement that prevented me from attending your event.

“My former colleague, State Rep. Robin Vos, who I have worked with, will tell you that while I was in the State Legislature I did support a version of KRM. But, two years later, the debate seems to have not advanced much further.

“The debate was then – and continues to be – stalled within the Milwaukee County lines.

“As a result, until the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County can agree on a plan of action, I’m going to keep my powder dry until I see the details.

“We already have a train in Kenosha that goes to Chicago – we have the “K” of KRM.”