Wisconsin Urban Transit Association Legislative Package

Wisconsin Urban Transit Association - WUTA
Transit Legislative Package
Presented to and modified by
the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities
September, 2000

The state operating assistance formula currently in place should be rescinded, it clearly does not work.

State funds (formula distribution) should be based on the current year's operating expenses.

WisStat 85.20 (4M) (a) (intro)

Revise to read: "For calendar year 2001 and thereafter, the operating expenses used to establish the uniform percentage shall be the projected operating expenses of an urban mass transit system."

Delete the following: "Subject to sub. (4r), for the calendar year 2000 and thereafter the operating expenses used to establish the uniform percentage shall be the operating expenses incurred during the second calendar year preceding the calendar year for which aid is paid under this section."

Provide adequate state operating assistance funding to provide:

Tier A , Mitwaukee - To cover a minimum of 47.5% - 50% of operating expenses. (Sec. 85.20 (4m) (a) 6.cm, Stats)

Tier A-1, Madison - To cover a mimimum of 47.5% of operating expenses. (Sec. 85.20 (4m) (a)6 d, Stats)

Provide adequate combined state and federal transit funding to provide:

Tier B, Over 50,000 population - To cover 60% of operating expenses. (Sec. 85.20 (4m)(d) 7 a-b, Stats, and Ch Trans 8.03, Wis Adm Code)

Tier C, Under 50,000 population - To cover 70% of operating expenses. (Sec. 85.20 (4m) (d) 8 a-b, Stats and Ch Trans 8.03, Wis Adm Code)

State fund increases should be spread across the biennium, not restricted to the first year. (Revision to Sec. 85.20 (4s), Stats.)
Federal and state funds should be maximized and equalized with no cap. (Revision to Sec. 85.20 (4m) (a) (intro), Stats and Ch Trans 8.03, Wis Adm Code)
Require WisDOT to review all applications for state funds prior to execution of any agreements.(New - This process done now, but not codified.)
Provide 10% state capital assistance for transit projects, but if the choice is between capital grants and operating subsidies, the preference is for operating subsidies.

Provide a financial bonus for systems exceeding performance standards established by the state. (Add to Sec. 85.20 (7), Stats.)
Limit those systems that choose not to take Federal assistance to the average state level of funds only. Systems ineligible for Federal funding would receive a combined level. (Revision to Sec. 85.20 (4m) (a) (intro), Stats and Ch. rans 8.03, Wis Adm Code.)

Revised by Wisconsin Alliance of Cities members meeting in Ashland, September 15,2000. (Revisions underlined)

WUTA Legislative Committee Members:

Tom Kujawa, Milwaukee County Transit System;
Bob Johnson, Waukesha Metro Transit;
Tony Scherer, Maritime Metro Transit - Manitowoc;
Steve Billings, Sheboygan Transit
Gary Goyke, WUTA Lobbyist

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