WisPolitics Budget Blog

Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, has proposed a motion to require the Southeastern Wisconsin RTA to conduct a study on the feasibility of extending the proposed KRM commuter rail project through the 30th Street corridor to the northern Milwaukee County line.

Rep. Stone said the JFC is not the place to plan out the KRM project. Taylor replied that the motion is not a mandate, it merely asks them to study the extension.

The motion failed on an 8-8 vote.

A similar motion from Rep. Colon to add a rail stop at National Avenue and/or Greenfield Avenue in Miwaukee also failed on an 8-8 vote.

Labels: KRM_Line

On an 8-8 vote, with Dems voting for, Republicans against.

Labels: KRM_Line, Transportation

Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, a supporter of the KRM rail line project, said he can't support the increase in rental car fees to pay for it.

"I think there will be a regional answer that will work well, and I will continue to work for that," he said. "We have to be careful in finding the right situation."

Labels: KRM_Line, Stone, Transportation

Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, has introduced a motion to provide the southeastern Wisconsin RTA the authority to sponsor and operate the proposed Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail service; to levy a vehicle rental fee of up to $15 per transaction in the three-county region (the fee is currently $2 per transaction); and to issue up to $50 million in bonds for the anticipated local funding share required for initiatiing KRM commuter rail service.

(budget paper 777)

Lehman said the proposal "means a lot to the city of Racine," and the rail line would provide significant economic benefits to the region.

He said the proposal does not involve state dollars, but an authority of the RTA funding sources.

"This proposal would make a huge difference in Racine but also Kenosha and Milwaukee, tying those communities in southeastern Wisconsin together," he said.

Labels: KRM_Line, Lehman, Transportation