To quote the Journal Sentinel: The paper “was right – and it was wrong” in its Sept. 3 editorial about my position on the proposed Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail line. I support the KRM. In fact, I worked to secure authorization for this project in 2005 when Congress last considered legislation that lays out nationwide transportation priorities for five years. And now that it is 2010 and time to consider this legislation again, I once more have identified this project as a priority for funding.
Connecting our cities is crucial for us to be competitive in the 21st-century economy. Allowing easier travel and commuting throughout southeastern Wisconsin will indeed bring benefits to our region.
The Journal Sentinel seems to think that we should immediately move full steam ahead on KRM on the hope that one day our buses will have sustainable funding. In a perfect world,
I would agree. Unfortunately, we all know that this world is far from perfect.
I want to be very clear: The amendment that I unsuccessfully offered before the House Rules Committee wouldn’t have permanently stopped action on the KRM as the editorial suggests. It would have prohibited – for just one year – consideration of any application to begin work on KRM.
This sensible approach would have given the state Legislature and the governor more time to come to an agreement about dedicated funding for the Milwaukee County Transit System. Such an agreement has proven elusive to date. It is crucial that we do this now – instead of committing to an additional expenditure in the rail line and just keeping our fingers crossed for a solution on our buses down the road.
Even beyond this, the editorial ignores the paper’s own reporting on the issue. The Federal Transit Administration, which must approve plans for KRM in order to receive federal funding, has repeatedly indicated that federal funding for construction will not be awarded until the bus system’s funding issues are resolved.
The facts are clear. The FTA will not approve funding for KRM construction until we can take care of our buses. And with two-thirds, or $190 million, of the needed funding expected to be federal investment, at this point, there is no way for the project to go forward without this fix. It’s simple math.
The editorial rightly understands that moving forward on ensuring that buses can continue to serve our communities is crucial. Repeated fare increases and cuts in service only hurt the many Milwaukeeans who rely on buses as their only means of transportation.
I will not back down from my commitment to keep buses running to give them an affordable transportation option to get to and from work. In part, that’s why I work every year to secure funding for MCTS to maintain and repair its bus fleet. Governing is about choices. And again, in a perfect world, I’d love to agree and say, “yes, right now we can have both KRM and a bus system that is reliable and affordable for all of our citizens.” But, especially in today’s climate when local and state budgets are facing shortfalls, continuing full steam ahead on the hope of sustained commitment for our buses just doesn’t make sense.
Can we do both? Yes. Do I want both? Yes. But we absolutely cannot lose sight of the fact that this train will be stopped before it even leaves the station if we do nothing to ensure sustainable funding for our buses.
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) represents the 4th Congressional District.