Wis. transportation leaders praise funding boost
Wisconsin transportation leaders praise increased funding for mass transit operations
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Representatives from Wisconsin's public transit systems are urging state lawmakers to keep the recently approved mass transit funding increase in the next state budget.
Gov. Scott Walker proposed no increase for local mass transit in his two-year budget. The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee would increase it by 4 percent, or $5.3 million annually.
At a Monday news conference at the Capitol,, Gary Goyke, legislative director for the Wisconsin Urban and Rural Transit Association, says Wisconsin's aging population suffered greatly from the 10 percent cut in mass transit funding in the last budget.
Goyke says restoring that funding will help seniors in rural areas get to their medical appointments. He says it will also attract more young professionals to Wisconsin cities.
