Doyle, business leaders call for transit funding

Source: Office of Governor Jim Doyle

Governor Doyle and local elected officials joined the region’s top CEOs in urging the state legislature and local community to support new transit legislation at a news conference today hosted by Bucyrus International in South Milwaukee.

On the opening day of the spring legislative session, the area’s top CEOs delivered a strong, united statement of support for the transit legislation providing dedicated funding and property tax relief for transit, stressing the link between transit and economic development as well as potential expansion plans that are dependent upon the future of local transit.

“As business leaders, we understand the dire need to create an environment where the economy and jobs can grow,” said host Tim Sullivan, president and CEO of Bucyrus International.  “Bucyrus is looking to add up to 450 additional jobs over the next three to five years, but the number of jobs added will be directly related to the improvement of the current transit system through dedicated sales tax funding, and the addition of the KRM commuter rail.”

“In Wisconsin we are already behind many regions in transportation,” said Fisk Johnson, chairman and CEO of SC Johnson. “Without a modern well-organized transit system of buses and commuter rail, southeastern Wisconsin will be left behind as the state’s residents are attracted to other developing regions, while those remaining in Racine and other communities will not have good access to affordable, efficient transportation to connect to jobs and other important needs.”

“Without dedicated funding, our transit system could go bankrupt,” said Ed Zore, chairman and chief executive officer of Northwestern Mutual. “The impact would extend beyond actual transit riders and would handicap our business community, making it difficult for businesses to retain employees and customers.”

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