I Are A Published Author!

Areal big thank you to BizTimes.com for publishing a piece written by yours truly, on behalf of my work at Milwaukee County First. The post:

Gov. Jim Doyle recently announced that he will not be running for a third term as governor. In his announcement, he promised that he would continue to work for the people of Wisconsin.

He said he would have an aggressive agenda over the next 16 months, focusing on education, green jobs, the economy and health care. "I believe without the politics and the campaign we can get a lot done over time. This moment in history will not be wasted."

We all need to thank Gov. Doyle for his 20 years of tireless service to the people of Wisconsin, first as attorney general, and then as governor through some rather challenging times with creativity and concern for the citizens of Wisconsin.

Though he will be sitting out the next election, the governor's job is far from over. Hopefully Doyle will keep his promise of not serving out the remainder of his term as a lame duck governor, and to help the economy of the entire region of southeast Wisconsin by honoring the voices of Milwaukee County voters who approved a 1-percent sales tax in last year’s elections. The sales tax would be vital to restore the transit system of Milwaukee County and providing a strong base for any future RTA (regional transit authority), including the KRM (Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee) rail system.

RTA aside, the need for strengthening Milwaukee County Transit System is growing more urgent as time passes. Without a dedicated source of funding for the transit system, 40 percent of the routes could be slashed in the near future. This would affect up to 60,000 workers who would no longer have a way to get to their job. And without workers, employers would have untold difficulties in producing and selling their products and services. Needless to say, this would have a devastating effect on the local economy, and unnecessarily prolong the economic woes that Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin are trying to work its way through.

Besides the necessity of the transit system to keep our economy moving, the sales tax, as passed in last year’s referendum, would allow for $67 million in property tax relief. That much money staying in the pockets of property owners would allow them to spend it as they wish, adding to the economic recovery for the entire region.
The sales tax would also have the benefit of preserving our parks and emergency medical system, which would only add to the appeal for companies to move here and keep the ones that are already here.

Why the governor vetoed the sales tax in the first place when none of these funds would come out of the state coffers is a head scratcher. Nevertheless, restoring the sales tax would be a great "do-over," leading to a better future for Milwaukee county and the businesses that operate within it.