March 18 - Transit Talk with Sen. Brad Pfaff

Join us on Thursday, March 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. for an ONLINE forum with State Senator Brad Pfaff. Senator Pfaff serves on the Senate Committees on Transportation and Local Government. Agriculture and Tourism;  Economic and Workforce Development; Universities and Technical Colleges; and Utilities, Technology and Telecommunications.

There are many possible avenues of discussion, including the recommendations about public transportation made in the recently released Governor's Task Force on Climate Change report, the Governor's proposed 2021-2023 budget, the effects of COVID-19 on public transportation operations, new technology--from electric vehicles to public transit apps, and the role of a robust public transportation system in providing equitable access to jobs, education, recreation, services, and life for all regardless of location, wealth, health, age, and ability. We'll hope Senator Pfaff can touch on some of these and we'll be sure to leave time for your questions.

Please JOIN US! Register at tiny.cc/lata-pfaff  You will also be able to submit a question for Senator Pfaff at this registration site. This is a Cisco Webex event, accessible by computer/smart phone/tablet AND by dialing in from any phone for those who register and receive the link.

T4A

 

Make transportation history with us. Join us next Thursday to be a part of the solution.  2021 is a once-in-a-generation chance to fundamentally change U.S. transportation.  With pedestrian fatalities skyrocketing, millions of Americans stranded from jobs and opportunities, and the climate crisis quickly reaching the point of no return, we need to act: We can’t afford to waste another five years and billions of dollars on programs that just make our problems worse.

Register for the webinar

Join us on Thursday, February 25th at 1:30 pm CT to learn why 2021 can be a historic shift for U.S. transportation and how you can join the fight for fundamental reform.  Hear from the Transportation for America director Beth Osborne, policy director Scott Goldstein, and outreach director Chris Rall on why 2021 is a rare opportunity for remake transportation to provide everyone—no matter who you are or where you live—with safe, convenient, and affordable access to opportunity. We’ll give you the tools you need to be a part of the solution. Register for the webinar.

State Budget update

The Sierra Club, through the Coalition for More Responsible Transportation, noted that Governor Evers' proposed 2021-23 budget includes the following transit and transportation items:

• Highways: Lots of money to highways, enumeration of the I-94 East-West project 
  
• CMRT's ask: no new highway expansion enumerations, especially I-94

• Transit:  Increase general transit aids by 2.5 percent increase ($3.5m) + a a transit capital improvement grant program ($10m) + increased funding for employment access and mobility programs ($4m)
• CMRT's ask: $50m/year increase to transit
• Paratransit and Specialized Transit:  2.5 percent increase to paratransit and smaller increase to specialized 
• CMRT's ask: increase paratransit and specialized transit funding

We expect there will be some information and training sessions regarding transportation budget advocacy in the next couple of months, and we will post these as they are announced.

WisARP annual meeting March 27

The Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers will meet online this year:

Due to the pandemic and restrictions on the size of meetings, the WisARP spring meeting will be held as a Zoom videoconference. The meeting will be March 27th, from 9:00 am until Noon. Tune in and get the latest Amtrak and WisDOT news. Speakers will include Arun Rao, Passenger Rail Manager for WisDOT. 

IMPORTANT: If you plan to attend, please contact the WisARP chair. The Zoom license has a participation limit and we need to know if we will need to increase that limit. Thanks.