FREE Info Session! Transit Options: What’s Our Return on Investment?

This was forwarded to me. Looks great, I encourage you to attend if you have questions around the financial implications of investing or not investing in transit.

Local organizations invite you to a FREE discussion to learn more about critical transit and economic issues.

Wisconsin has an historic opportunity to modernize our transit systems. Decisions made this year at the local, state and federal level will impact our state’s economy for decades to come. With these new opportunities come key decisions that will affect our economy and our future.

Expanding Transit Options: What’s the return on our investment?
Delve into options including a Regional Transit Authority, High Speed Rail, KRM Commuter Rail and local bus!

Wed, April 29, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
DeKoven Center, 600 21st Street, Racine

Featuring presentations and a panel discussion with:

• National rail expert Kevin Brubaker, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Chicago
• Lori Richards, SE WI Regional Transit Authority
• Kerry Thomas, Transit NOW

Following the panel, attendees will hear local perspectives from minority, labor, faith & business leaders. Panelists and community leaders will also be available to answer YOUR questions on transit.

Hope to see you at the DeKoven Center on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m.!

Visit Belle Urban System for local bus routes /schedules to this event! Route 1 goes to the Dekoven Center and should get you there by 6 p.m. After 6, it’s a one hour service at 6:39, 7:39, 8:39, etc.

Questions? Please contact the Sierra Club at (608) 256-0565 or shahla.werner@sierraclub.org

Cosponsored by The Sierra Club, 1000 Friends of WI, Clean Wisconsin, Good Jobs Livable Neighborhoods, Hispanic Business Alliance, Insider News, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Racine Interfaith Coalition, WI Citizen Action, WISDOM, WISPIRG, The WI Alliance of Cities, & The WI BlueGreen Alliance.

Transit Needs Your Help – State Legislators Will Vote This Week!

We’ve been talking about this for what seems like forever. But whether or not we move forward with saving our current local transit system and look to develop a more robust regional system comes down to a very important vote this Thursday! We need to invest in transit before it’s too late. It impacts companies, jobs and people like you and me, whether you plan to use it or not.

To learn more about what you can do (it’s as simple as leaving a voice message) before Thursday, please send an email to Kristi Luzar, director of the Coalition for Advancing Transit at kristi@uedawi.org. She’ll quickly send you a couple of links.

Don’t let people make decisions without your input!

As always, thank you for your support!

Governor Doyle in Racine on Tuesday, April 21

From Kerry Thomas, Executive Director of Transit NOW

Join us to show Governor Doyle we appreciate his transit support and his RTA proposal. Let’s pack the Racine train station!

Stimulus money in the amount of $2.54 million for new busses and modern bus equipment is being hand delivered to Mayor Friedel by Governor Doyle tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21. Please join leaders and residents in welcoming the Governor.

Tuesday, April 21 at 1:45 p.m.
Racine Transit Center (historic train station) on 1409 State Street.
Parking available adjacent to the south end of the train station

Governor Doyle has included retaining a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in his proposed budget. That proposal is now in the hands of the Joint Committee on Finance. Retaining an RTA for Southeastern Wisconsin means acquiring a dedicating funding source for transit (which includes commuter rail). An RTA would create urgently needed funding to save our BUS and bring millions of Federal dollars to the Racine community to improve transit connections, implement KRM commuter rail, and spur economic growth in Racine.

Show the governor your support of his proposal and give him a warm welcome tomorrow.

Racine Community for Change Rally for KRM and an RTA

Distinguished Speaker: Mayor Friedel

Gather for some fun and show your support! Rally on our trolley through downtown Racine with transit advocates and then back to the historic train station for more rally!

When
Sunday, March 29
1-2pm

Where
Racine State Street Train Station/Transit Center
1409 State Street
Racine, WI 53404

For more information, contact Kerry Thomas from Transit Now kthomas@transitnow.org.

Racine Public Hearing on Transit Today!

Joint Committee on Finance Public Hearing: Monday, March 30th, 10:00am – 4:00pm

Where: J.I. Case High School Theater
7345 Washington Avenue, Racine

What: At these hearings, constituents and groups can give or pass along public testimony regarding budget issues. A large number of elected officials also attend.

What Can You Do?
Please join Coalition for Advancing Transit members at Case High School at 9:30am to join the support effort. If you have the time to speak in support of transit you can register to do that. If you only have 10 minutes, that’s ok. You can fill out a simple card to register your support as well.

Join Our Cause on Facebook

Thanks so much for your support of transit. Here’s another way to get involved. Join our cause on Facebook and tell all your friends. Actually, we’ve created a cause in support of the Coalition for Advancing Transit, the group bringing all of us together on this very important issue.

Here’s where you can join the cause: http://tinyurl.com/CATCause

If you’re not sure you want to jump in just yet, but really want to learn more about how transit effects you, your job, your employer, or your community, go here: http://tinyurl.com/d72u5y

And, don’t forget the two important events coming up during the next week.
WEST ALLIS: Wednesday, March 25th 10:00AM – 4:00 PM
The Tommy Thompson Center, State Fair Park, Banquet Room #2
640 S. 84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214

RACINE: Monday, March 30th, 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
J.I. Case High School Theater
7345 Washington Avenue, Racine

For both events, the Coalition for Advancing Transit will gather from 9:30-11AM.

To learn more about the Coalition for Advancing Transit and to join the group, contact Kristi at the Urban Economic Development Association of WI (UEDA) at 414.562.9904 or kristi@uedawi.org.

Regional transit CAN positively impact property tax, economic development and the environment.

What do you think? What would you like to know? Tell us here:  http://tinyurl.com/d72u5y

Our existing bus systems cannot be sustained by property taxes. Without a new source of funding, Milwaukee County Transit System will have to cut routes by 35% in 2010. Racine and Kenosha bus systems are facing similar funding crises.

Over 15% of residents in our region do not have access to a car; on a daily basis, there are nearly 160,000 passenger trips to work and school on bus transit in southeastern Wisconsin. 

The business community has rallied support around efforts to save local transit, as losing our bus system would have a devastating effect on major employers in our region.

In addition, our region is well-positioned to secure a federal grant to build the KRM commuter rail line, increasing our connections to the booming Chicago region.

The KRM commuter rail will have a positive impact on property values. Based on experiences across the nation, existing property along the commuter rail can be expected to experience a four to 20% growth in property value. A 10% increase for a one mile corridor along the KRM rail line would represent a $2.1 billion increase in property value in the three KRM counties.

KRM will create 4,700 local jobs during construction with a $560 million impact on the local economy.

KRM will also reduce traffic congestion and auto pollution, provide an alternative during I-94 reconstruction, increase access to jobs, education institutions, cultural amenities and tourist attractions.

Almost every other metropolitan region in the US has a transit system that encourages urban and transit-oriented development, and is paid for with sales taxes. In Wisconsin our cost for transit falls squarely on property tax owners.

If you are interested in learning more about the RTA’s recommendations for southeastern Wisconsin to shift the cost of transit from property tax to dedicated sales tax to save our bus systems and build the KRM, please tell us here: http://tinyurl.com/d72u5y

Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee Schedules Public Hearings

Your Chance To Learn More About How Transit Might Take Shape In Our Region.
The Joint Finance Committee has scheduled public hearings to discuss Governor Doyle’s budget recommendations for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). These hearings are open to the public and public comments are 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

For more information on this and other regional transit issues, please contact Kristi Kuzar at the Urban Economic Development Association at Kristi@uedawi.org or 414.562.9904.

You can also RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/dyw3oh

Not sure what all this transit stuff really means, request to learn more here: http://tinyurl.com/d72u5y

Wauwatosa Common Council RTA Legislation On Tuesday, March 3

Wauwatosa Common Council to take up Regional Transit Authority (RTA) legislation tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3.

Show your support, whether or not you live in the Wauwatosa area. Please call or email the Mayor and alderpersons in support of regional transit.

If you don’t live in Wauwatosa, please send a quick email or make a brief call to the following:

Mayor Jill Didier
414-479-8915
jdidier@wauwatosa.net

Alderman Thomas Herzog, Chair of Community Development Committee
414-257-9132
tomherzog@sbcglobal.net

If you do live in Wauwatosa, below is a list of alderpersons and their contact information. You can also find that list and district maps/designations here: http://www.wauwatosa.net/display/router.asp?DocID=29

Talking Points
Please be sure to emphasize that the SE WI RTA recommended dedicated funding through a sales tax in exchange for property tax relief. This sometimes gets overlooked by elected officials.

Example Call/Email
I’m calling/emailing to urge your support for the establishment of a permanent regional transit authority in southeastern Wisconsin and a sales tax increase of 0.5% in Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine counties to serve as a dedicated funding source for transit. This is important because:

1. A vibrant, modern transit system is a fundamental part of a successful and sustainable economy in the region.
2. A permanent regional transit authority in Southeast Wisconsin in 2009 is critical to providing regional coordination, creating a united voice to access local funding and federal investments, and advancing efficient regional linkages for jobs and economic growth.
3. A dedicated funding source for transit is vital in 2009 to provide adequate, stable funding for transit and prevent significant cuts in service.
4. A dedicated 0.5% sales tax for transit will provide property tax relief by removing local transit costs from the property tax.

(If you have a more personal reason for supporting this issue, we encourage you to insert that here)

Southeastern Wisconsin is far behind the curve in terms of mass transit and we need to get moving. In light of higher gas prices and challenging economic times, it is critical that this region has a strong transit system so people can reliably travel to work and school to support their families. Now is the time to support a stronger transit system for Milwaukee County, and a broad system for southeastern Wisconsin.

- – - – - – Contact List - – - – - - 

Mayor Jill Didier
414-479-8915
jdidier@wauwatosa.net

Wauwatosa Common Council Members
DISTRICT 1
Alderman Peter Donegan
414-259-8973
pdonegan@wauwatosa.net

Alderwoman Linda Nikcevich
414-453, 7873
lnikcevich@wauwatosa.net

DISTRICT 2
Alderman Eric B. Meaux
414-258-1407
emeaux@wauwatosa.net

Alderman James Krol
414-453-2904
jkrol@wauwatosa.net

DISTRICT 3
Alderman Tim Hanson
414-303-3521
thanson@wauwatosa.net

Alderwoman Jacqueline S. Jay
414-403-0838
jjay@wauwatosa.net

DISTRICT 4
Alderman Dennis R. McBride
414) 258-4574
dmcbride@wauwatosa.net

Alderwoman Jill M. Organ
414) 302-9098
jorgan@wauwatosa.net

DISTRICT 5
Alderman Jerry Stepaniak
414-258-0709
jerrystepaniak@wi.rr.com

Alderman Michael G. Walsh
414-477-2830
mwalsh@wauwatosa.net

DISTRICT 6
Alderman Brian Ewerdt
414-915-7379
bewerdt@wauwatosa.net

Alderman Thomas Herzog
414-257-9132
tomherzog@sbcglobal.net

DISTRICT 7
Alderman Donald Birschel
414-476-5971
dbirschel@wauwatosa.net

DISTRICT 8
Alderman Craig Maher
414-462-3738
cmaher@wauwatosa.net

Your action and support on this has been critical to the progress we’ve made. Keep it going and thanks so much!

Thank You, Governor Doyle!

On behalf of Launch Milwaukee, I sincerely thank Governor Doyle for including a regional transit authority and a dedicated funding source for transit in the 2009-2011 state budget!

The Governor’s decision clearly shows that effort and organization of groups like Launch Milwaukee, the Coalition for Advancing Transit and many others, provides our local leaders with critical feedback on issues that effect our community.

As I continue to interact with the future talent of this region: talented college students, young professionals and entrepreneurs, it’s clear how important a regional transit system is to them. In turn, it is vital for the future of economic development. If we can’t attract or keep talented people here we’ll not be able to create or sustain the dynamic organizations we need to employ and support our region.

As for the next step, Launch Milwaukee strongly encourages support from the Legislature as the process moves forward.

If you’d like to get involved or simply stay informed on how transit will move forward in our region, please join our group at Meetup.com/LaunchMilwaukee.

Thank You.