Number
140770
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN, MURPHY, PEREZ, KOVAC
Title
Substitute resolution relating to urging the State of Wisconsin to allocate a greater share of the State's Transportation Fund to local transportation projects.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee's support for an allocation of the State of Wisconsin's segregated Transportation Fund that more fairly balances financial support for local transportation needs with support for State highways. The resolution further urges the State Legislature to allocate a greater share of the Transportation Fund to local transportation projects. Finally, this resolution expresses the City's opposition to new or additional State gas taxes, State vehicle registration fees or other taxes or fees to supplement the segregated State Transportation Fund; rather, the State should adjust spending priorities to emphasize maintenance and repair of existing state highways and local transportation needs.
Body
Whereas, High-quality, safe, efficient and multi-modal local transportation systems are essential to a thriving economy, critical to the efficient movement of local goods, services , residents and visitors, important links to Wisconsin's state transportation systems, and lifelines for individuals who cannot or choose not to drive motor vehicles; and
Whereas, While they account for 90% of all Wisconsin lane-miles, local roads receive only about 30% of the State of Wisconsin's segregated Transportation Fund funding; and
Whereas, All modes of transportation are important for developing and maintaining a comprehensive, connected transportation network and need and deserve support from the segregated Transportation Fund; and
Whereas, Increasing the use of General Fund revenues for transportation purposes hurts Wisconsin municipalities by decreasing the level of State Shared Revenue available for other essential local government services (e.g., police and fire protection), as well as by potentially leaving municipalities without sufficient revenues to comply with State-mandated programs (e.g., recycling and water quality initiatives); and
Whereas, Local transportation needs - and the most appropriate mix of transportation improvements and investments to meet those needs - are specific to and dependent upon the size, location and geography of each community; and
Whereas, Each day, thousands of Wisconsin residents in communities large and small rely on public transit to travel to and from work, school, medical appointments and other activities; and
Whereas, Local transportation systems that offer diverse, reliable transportation options are essential to the health and development of integrated, connected communities; and
Whereas, Currently, the State of Wisconsin's support for local public transit operations is significantly below historical levels; and
Whereas, In addition to its low level of financial support for local public transit, the State has not authorized the tools - such as regional transit authorities - necessary for local governments to raise additional revenues to meet local transit needs; and
Whereas, The State's diminished financial support for local transportation projects results in the deterioration of local transportation networks, greater economic and human costs of isolation, and increased reliance on scarce local property tax dollars to maintain essential transportation infrastructure; and
Whereas, The Common Council finds that the solution to inadequate funding for local transportation needs and the maintenance and repair of existing state highways is not new or additional State gas taxes, State vehicle registration fees or other taxes or fees to supplement the segregated State Transportation Fund, but, rather, the adjustment of State transportation spending priorities to emphasize maintenance and repair of existing state highways and local transportation needs; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee supports an allocation of the State of Wisconsin's segregated Transportation Fund that more fairly balances financial support for local transportation needs with support for state highways; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City of Milwaukee urges the State Legislature to allocate a greater share of the Transportation Fund to local transportation projects; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City of Milwaukee opposes new or additional State gas taxes, State vehicle registration fees or other taxes or fees to supplement the segregated State Transportation Fund; rather, the State should adjust spending priorities to emphasize maintenance and repair of existing state highways and local transportation needs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to each member of Milwaukee's delegation to the Wisconsin Legislature.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB155119-2
Jeff Osterman
09/08/2014