A contentious issue in the budget this year was the creation of Regional Transit Authorities (RTA), entities that once created could enact an additional half-cent sales tax to be used for transportation needs in the governed area. While I think RTAs are a good idea to plan for our future transportation goals, I was disappointed with some of the governor's vetoes on this issue.
The governor's 2009-2011 Wisconsin state budget proposed giving Dane County the power to create a Regional Transit Authority.
The Senate added - at my request - a provision to require the approval of a binding referendum before the Dane County RTA board could impose sales and use taxes. In addition, both the Assembly and Senate added another provision that would allow the Transit Authority to use revenue from the sales tax to fund road projects, another addition I supported fully. The Conference Committee adopted both of these provisions, but decided to limit the use of funds for roads to 25 percent.
Once final in the Legislature, the governor used his veto power to remove a few provisions that had been agreed on by the Legislature. Most troubling of the governor's vetoes was the removal of the provision that would require a binding referendum before the Transit Authority could impose a sales tax. Because the members of the Dane County RTA board would be appointed and not directly elected, it is very important that citizens have a say before giving this body taxing authority. In addition, without a referendum, smaller communities without representation on the board would have no channel for input. I have been pleased to read in the paper, however, that the Dane County Board Chair and County Executive are committed to providing a referendum on this issue.
I also was disappointed to see that the governor eliminated the language that would have allowed up to 25 percent of the sales tax to be used for road projects - we should keep an open mind for transportation solutions.
During the budget process, I pushed for more representation for small communities by introducing a budget amendment that would give Towns a seat on the RTA board. However, I ultimately compromised and withdrew this amendment, agreeing to a rotating membership for cities and villages, on the condition that a binding referendum be included to give all voters a voice.
Despite my displeasure with the governor's vetoes on this issue, the creation of a Regional Transit Authority in Dane County is crucial to meeting our growing transportation demands. Regional planning and dedicated funding will help Dane County create a modern transportation system, improve our chances for federal funding, and better prepare us to connect with President Obama's proposed high-speed rail network. Above all, building a viable and sustainable regional transportation network will help to reduce our traffic congestion, oil dependence and pollution, while giving businesses greater incentive to locate and stay in Dane County.
For additional information on the state budget and RTAs, please contact my office at (608)266-6670 or e-mail sen.erpenbach@legis.wi.gov.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, serves the 27th State Senate District.
The governor's 2009-2011 Wisconsin state budget proposed giving Dane County the power to create a Regional Transit Authority.
The Senate added - at my request - a provision to require the approval of a binding referendum before the Dane County RTA board could impose sales and use taxes. In addition, both the Assembly and Senate added another provision that would allow the Transit Authority to use revenue from the sales tax to fund road projects, another addition I supported fully. The Conference Committee adopted both of these provisions, but decided to limit the use of funds for roads to 25 percent.
Once final in the Legislature, the governor used his veto power to remove a few provisions that had been agreed on by the Legislature. Most troubling of the governor's vetoes was the removal of the provision that would require a binding referendum before the Transit Authority could impose a sales tax. Because the members of the Dane County RTA board would be appointed and not directly elected, it is very important that citizens have a say before giving this body taxing authority. In addition, without a referendum, smaller communities without representation on the board would have no channel for input. I have been pleased to read in the paper, however, that the Dane County Board Chair and County Executive are committed to providing a referendum on this issue.
I also was disappointed to see that the governor eliminated the language that would have allowed up to 25 percent of the sales tax to be used for road projects - we should keep an open mind for transportation solutions.
During the budget process, I pushed for more representation for small communities by introducing a budget amendment that would give Towns a seat on the RTA board. However, I ultimately compromised and withdrew this amendment, agreeing to a rotating membership for cities and villages, on the condition that a binding referendum be included to give all voters a voice.
Despite my displeasure with the governor's vetoes on this issue, the creation of a Regional Transit Authority in Dane County is crucial to meeting our growing transportation demands. Regional planning and dedicated funding will help Dane County create a modern transportation system, improve our chances for federal funding, and better prepare us to connect with President Obama's proposed high-speed rail network. Above all, building a viable and sustainable regional transportation network will help to reduce our traffic congestion, oil dependence and pollution, while giving businesses greater incentive to locate and stay in Dane County.
For additional information on the state budget and RTAs, please contact my office at (608)266-6670 or e-mail sen.erpenbach@legis.wi.gov.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, serves the 27th State Senate District.
