13,553 WI jobs could be thrown under the bus as the result
of recent transportation budget cuts. Maybe the WI "representatives"
with their $49,943 salary and $88 per diem will offer to car pool in
order for thousands of their constituents to get to work.
Journal Sentinel
By Larry Sandler
September 25, 2011
More than 13,000 jobs would be out of reach for Milwaukee County residents without cars, if county officials adopt recommended cuts in bus service, a new report warns.
If County Executive Chris Abele and the County Board slice the bus routes targeted in the Milwaukee County Transit System's 2012 budget request, at least 13,553 jobs would be inaccessible by public transit, according to an analysis of the service cuts by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Center for Economic Development.
"One likely consequence of implementing the proposed service reductions for 2012 would be to make it difficult or impossible for transit-dependent workers and job-seekers in Milwaukee to reach many job locations in suburban Milwaukee County," wrote the study's author, Joel Rast, director of the center. "Given Milwaukee's already high poverty and jobless rates, especially for African-Americans, this scenario is particularly troublesome."
The study, released last week, drew concern from two county supervisors. The supervisors and Abele blamed Madison for the bus system's plight.
Following the recommendation of Gov. Scott Walker, the Legislature cut aid to transit systems statewide by 10% in the 2011-'13 state budget. That will be a $6.8 million cut for Milwaukee County next year, partly offset by $1.45 million in new aid for the Transit Plus service for disabled and elderly riders. Together with other revenue shortfalls and rising expenses, the transit system is facing a $15 million budget hole for 2012. Continue Reading
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