We need our legislators to fight for us
Bejing, New York City, Bangalore and Charlotte are just a sampling of global cities where transit systems are being enhanced and expanded to improve the way people move throughout their regions. With this one investment, air quality is improved, property values increase, families save money that would otherwise be spent on cars, and the improved mobility of entire cities proves significant economic benefits directly associated with the use of mass transit systems. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is now a proven urban planning tool that can improve the quality of life for all people in the world, and strong transit infrastructures have become the foundation of successful major cities throughout the world.
It seems that new transit projects are being planned everywhere but Milwaukee. We need local elected officials to step up to the plate and support good public transit policy that provides a dedicated funding mechanism that will maintain healthy and growing systems into the future because our region is failing behind. Transit should be viewed by all legislators, regardless of party, as a necessity, not a luxury. Wisconsin is one of the last remaining states to fund transit with a property tax, and unless we act now, we will lose our mass transit system.
If Milwaukee and the southeastern Wisconsin region does not embrace mass transit and the benefits it provides our region now, our community will collapse. Milwaukee will lose any remaining competitive edge needed to attract and retain people in our city, Milwaukee’s economy will suffer, and families will continue to be burdened by the lack of public transit.
I urge legislators to stand up and take note of what the citizens of this region need. We need transit and we need our politicians to fight for us.
Jeffrey F. Kober
President, Milwaukee Composites
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