A measure that would have increased funding for Milwaukee-area commuter transit was recently voted down, fueling a push for neighboring cities to break away and form their own transit agencies.
"After the defeat of a $13 rental car tax increase, plans for a Milwaukee-area commuter rail line could be put on hold for a year or two - meaning trains would not be available during much of the reconstruction work on a parallel stretch of I-94."
"Supporters of the rail line are studying a legislative proposal that could lead to a regional referendum on a half-cent sales tax increase. That plan also could allow western Racine County communities to cut themselves out of a restructured transit authority."
"But Milwaukee-area political and business leaders are undecided about whether to sign on to the plan, which the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities is pushing as a way to allow the Madison area, the Fox Valley and other metropolitan areas to create their own regional transit authorities. Most local leaders said they are trying to gauge support for the legislation, which has yet to be introduced."
