Great Waters Group Take Action Issue Transit Authority

	Action Alert: Get the Transit Authority Moving
Get RTA Bill Moving Forward! We've accomplished so much this year and now legislative action on the Regional Transit Authority is urgently needed While transit in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha are quickly approaching a financial meltdown because of their antiquated funding structure, we have a unique opportunity to address these crucial issues and create a vibrant region-wide transit network of connectivity that is at the very core of sustainability and a green economy—and job growth and economic competitiveness. Local transit systems, KRM Commuter Rail, jobs, economic growth, and our health and environment are at risk. Without a dedicated funding source, existing transit systems will face major service reductions that will continue year after year and cut people off from jobs and opportunity, and increase auto emissions and traffic congestion. Without adequate bus funding the KRM Commuter Rail project and other major initiatives will not pass federal muster and will be shelved along with over $100 million in federal funds to invest in building a cleaner, greener, more compact and fuel efficient regional transportation system. Please take a moment today to drive home the message of necessity and urgency. We need a regional framework and dedicated funding for buses. We can't afford to wait and watch our transit system and our sustainable future crumble. Contact your legislators and legislative leaders today and urge them to get Regional Transit Authority legislation moving forward. Ask them to include property tax relief by shifting transit from the property tax to a sales tax so that visitors will help support transit investments. Phone calls with a personal message are the most effective. Ask to speak with the legislator, or leave a message and be sure to include your full name, address and phone number. Ask for a reply to find out what they are doing to move the RTA forward! Please let us know about your call, email, or letter! Email Kthomas@transitnow.org To find your state legislators visit http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx, or call 1-800-362-9472 Also contact these key representatives: Senator Russ Decker (608) 266-2502 Sen.Decker@legis.wisconsin.gov, P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882 Speaker Mike Sheridan (888) 947-0044 Rep.Sheridan@legis.wisconsin.gov, P.O. Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708 For more about the RTA legislation, the looming bus funding crisis, and impacts on KRM Commuter Rail project visit: http://www.transitnow.org/110609TransitCrisisLooms.htm For more on transit funding crisis: http://www.transitnow.org/PublicPolicyFirumTransitFundingCrisisreport.htm For more about KRM Commuter Rail: http://www.transitnow.org/quick_points.html For more information contact Transit NOW at 262-246-6151 Thank you! Additional Transit Facts for your information and use! Transit protects the Environment. Transportation in the U.S. accounts for 1/3 of global warming emissions. 70% of gasoline consumption is from autos! Modern regional transit networks: Reduce individual carbon footprint: switching a commute by auto to transit can reduce CO2 emission by 20 pounds per day per person. Encourage compact development: research by the Center for Transit-Oriented Development finds that walkable transit-oriented communities produce 43 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional suburban development. Reduce urban sprawl that eats up habitat, open space, and farms. Reduce congestion that wastes time and fuel. Provide alternatives to the high price of gas that is hurting families and businesses. Provide energy-efficient and affordable, reliable link between jobs and workers. An estimate by the nonprofit Center for Transit-Oriented Development projects that 15 million households will be looking to rent or to buy near transit in 2030 – up from 6 million in 2005 and totaling a quarter of all renters and buyers who will be in the market for housing.

Action Alert: Get the Transit Authority Moving

Get RTA Bill Moving Forward!

We've accomplished so much this year and now legislative action on the Regional Transit Authority is urgently needed While transit in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha are quickly approaching a financial meltdown because of their antiquated funding structure, we have a unique opportunity to address these crucial issues and create a vibrant region-wide transit network of connectivity that is at the very core of sustainability and a green economy—and job growth and economic competitiveness.

Local transit systems, KRM Commuter Rail, jobs, economic growth, and our health and environment are at risk. Without a dedicated funding source, existing transit systems will face major service reductions that will continue year after year and cut people off from jobs and opportunity, and increase auto emissions and traffic congestion. Without adequate bus funding the KRM Commuter Rail project and other major initiatives will not pass federal muster and will be shelved along with over $100 million in federal funds to invest in building a cleaner, greener, more compact and fuel efficient regional transportation system. Please take a moment today to drive home the message of necessity and urgency.

We need a regional framework and dedicated funding for buses. We can't afford to wait and watch our transit system and our sustainable future crumble.

Contact your legislators and legislative leaders today and urge them to get Regional Transit Authority legislation moving forward.

Ask them to include property tax relief by shifting transit from the property tax to a sales tax so that visitors will help support transit investments. Phone calls with a personal message are the most effective. Ask to speak with the legislator, or leave a message and be sure to include your full name, address and phone number. Ask for a reply to find out what they are doing to move the RTA forward!

Please let us know about your call, email, or letter! Email Kthomas@transitnow.org

To find your state legislators visit http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx, or call 1-800-362-9472

Also contact these key representatives:

Senator Russ Decker (608) 266-2502 Sen.Decker@legis.wisconsin.gov, P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882

Speaker Mike Sheridan (888) 947-0044 Rep.Sheridan@legis.wisconsin.gov, P.O. Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708

For more about the RTA legislation, the looming bus funding crisis, and impacts on KRM Commuter Rail project visit:

http://www.transitnow.org/110609TransitCrisisLooms.htm

For more on transit funding crisis: http://www.transitnow.org/PublicPolicyFirumTransitFundingCrisisreport.htm

For more about KRM Commuter Rail: http://www.transitnow.org/quick_points.html

For more information contact Transit NOW at 262-246-6151

Thank you!

Additional Transit Facts for your information and use!

Transit protects the Environment.
Transportation in the U.S. accounts for 1/3 of global warming emissions. 70% of gasoline consumption is from autos!
Modern regional transit networks:

Reduce individual carbon footprint: switching a commute by auto to transit can reduce CO2 emission by 20 pounds per day per person.

Encourage compact development: research by the Center for Transit-Oriented Development finds that walkable transit-oriented communities produce 43 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional suburban development.

Reduce urban sprawl that eats up habitat, open space, and farms.

Reduce congestion that wastes time and fuel.

Provide alternatives to the high price of gas that is hurting families and businesses.

Provide energy-efficient and affordable, reliable link between jobs and workers.

An estimate by the nonprofit Center for Transit-Oriented Development projects that 15 million households will be looking to rent or to buy near transit in 2030 – up from 6 million in 2005 and totaling a quarter of all renters and buyers who will be in the market for housing.