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Cause Bulletin
RTA legislation introduced and more!
Did you know public transit in SE WI is in a state of financial crisis? Transit is currently paid for by property taxes, and without additional funding, even more drastic reductions will take place. There is a solution - dedicated funding and a regional approach. It is critical that supporters of transit solutions for SE … Read More
Recent Cause Activity
Call now. Talk to these two men, or leave a voice mail. Urgent.
Russ Decker, Majority leader of the State Senate. 608-266-2502 or 877-496-0472
Mike Sheridan, Majority leader of the State Assembly. 608-266-7503 or 888-947-0044
The Coalition for Advancing Transit has updated its website! Check out our new logo, transit facts and more at www.coalitionforadvancingtransit.com
Share your Transit Story! Visit http://tiny.cc/transitstory - it won't take but a few minutes. Also, see the most recent bulletin above for links to a recent editorial by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and blog.
Why more and more conservatives are embracing transit...
“Transportation for America” is hosting a national discussion with experts from varying perspectives.
Monday, December 7 at 2pm (CST)
Register here to listen in on the debate: http://bit.ly/1lA0tk
Upcoming C.A.T. Meeting: YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND! Learn what has happened in the past 4 months with the state budget and what we can do next. This event is FREE and open to the public.
Manpower Headquarters: THIS Monday, June 8, 2009 from 10:00 – 11:30AM
Registration & Refreshments at 9:30AM; Program begins at 10:00AM
Visit http://groups.google.com/group/coalit... to view event details (scroll down to the Discussion Board). To register please contact Kristi Luzar at UEDA (Kristi@uedawi.org or 414.562.9904)
Also, tomorrow, June 6, kicks off Bike to Work Week. See the link below for details – Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will help launch the work week on Monday morning at 8:00am, with a press conference at 8:30am in Zeidler Park. There are many waystations and events happening around town. http://www.bfw.org/coordination/index...
Remember – you can now bike AND ride the bus in Milwaukee County! Visit http://www.ridemcts.com/riding_the_bu... for details on how to utilize the new bike racks installed on Milwaukee County buses this week.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage of the JFC Vote from May 1-4:
• "Finance Panel backs transit board, sales tax": http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepol...
• "Regional Transit Authority: Legislative Hash": http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/...
• "Transit plans could see even more changes": http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsi...
Joint Finance Committee to vote on the RTA THIS WEEK: TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Please share with members, friends and associates
We have come to a deciding moment for our region.
Your voice is very important and is needed by Tuesday April 28.
Governor Doyle included a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for SE Wisconsin, Dane County, and the Fox Valley in his budget and now the Joint Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on the RTA on Thursday morning April 30th. Their vote will play a role in determining the future of the RTA - and the future of our region.
Now is the Time That Our Voice Needs to be Heard Loud and Clear
What's at stake?
The very fabric of our communities and economy. An RTA would create urgently needed access to over a million jobs, create of tens of thousands new jobs, revitalize neighborhoods and business districts, and a regional transit network that is crucial to attracting businesses, jobs, talent, and customers. The future of our economy, community, and quality of life are riding on the creation of a permanent RTA.
The RTA is our best (and possibly last) chance to avoid bankruptcy of our bus systems, build KRM Commuter Rail, and bring a major infusion of federal, state, and local dollars, both public and private, to our cities. Plus, the RTA can give us property tax relief! (See details)
Without an RTA in 2009, transit services will be slashed and people will be cut off from jobs, workers and employers alike will be hard hit, and businesses, jobs and federal dollars will continue to go elsewhere while we fall further behind. KRM and its accessibility and economic benefits will be sidelined, or even lost. Our current transit structure and funding source can no longer support our region's needs.
Please take action NOW (by April 28th at latest)
If you have not contacted Joint Finance Committee members, NOW is the time. If you have contacted them, thank you! Please call or send an urgent reminder and let them know that the RTA is vitally important to you and to our region, cities, families, and businesses. Ask associates, friends, neighbors to voice their opinion by forwarding this action alert.
We have come a long way and accomplished so much in reaching this pivotal point. Support is strong but there are still major challenges. Now we are poised to get a win for this major milestone and it will take everyone's voice.
Visit www.coalitionforadvancingtransit.com for details on who to contact and HOW.
Fellow Traveler,
Thank you for supporting public transportation and saying YES to the Coalition for Advancing Transit.
Thank you for Singing to the Choir. We love it; your tune is so beautiful. Now go outdoors and sing your sweet song. How you love your bus.
Sure, I do see your name at Facebook - Coalition for Advancing Transit. A Supporter!!! This is so cool that you believe in public transportation, buses, trains.
NOW you NEED TO DO ONE MORE THING
ENDORSE the four principles of the COALITION (our CAT). Let your voice be heard beyond Facebook.
ENDORSE at: http://transitmatters.blogspot.com/ Elected officials don't even know Facebook exists.
ENDORSE: This will put your name on a list with (we hope) hundreds of public transportation fans.
Today. ENDORSE.
The State legislature needs to know you will support their decision. We need to have their back, or they will go limp in the crunch. Stand out, and shout, YES we want a modern transportation system in Milwaukee!!
ENDORSE!!! http://transitmatters.blogspot.com/
Thanks especially to: Matt, Nicole, Aimee, Trina, Sandy, Sarah, Cletus, Pammy, Hannah, Chris, Joe, and David who did Endorse (did I miss anyone?). The children of Milwaukee will inscribe your names on their monuments. love to all.
best to you
Bill
Endorse CAT (not here) but at: http://transitmatters.blogspot.com/ where your name or the name of your Org will be on the list of endorsers presented to the Deciders in Madison. Sign on. Count yourself in: http://transitmatters.blogspot.com/
If no legislative action is taken, the SE Wisconsin RTA will dissolve in 2009 and with it the best opportunity to gain dedicated transit funding and regional coordination. Local transit systems could continue their steep decline. We cannot let this happen.
Without a dedicated funding source, existing transit systems will face severe service reductions in 2010 and important transportation system improvements will not become a reality.
Transit investments can catalyze sustainability and a green economy, while saving money for businesses and families by reducing travel costs.
Transit is a top attractor for the talent that businesses require to be successful. We need to help assure a talented workforce and reverse our brain drain by investing in transit to build a globally competitive regional economy.
Transit cuts are harming accessibility to jobs. Between 2001 and 2007 in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, 40,500 jobs became inaccessible by transit due to service cuts. The total could exceed 100,000 by 2010.
The Joint Finance Committee has scheduled public hearings to discuss Governor Doyle’s budget recommendations for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) [facts here]. These hearings are open to the public and public comments are also welcome.
Joint Finance Committee Public Hearing, West Allis
When: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 10:00 a.m
Where: State Fair Park, Banquet Room #2, 640 S. 84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214
Joint Finance Committee Public Hearing, Racine:
Date: Monday, March 30, 2009 at 10:00AM
Location: J.I. Case High School, Theater, 7345 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI 53406