Mayor Dave Blogs Responds To RTA Referenda | Politics

There's a movement afoot by opponents of commuter rail to get a question on the November election ballot. The question looks straightforward enough: Do you support increasing the sales tax to pay for commuter rail? 

The problem is that it's not accurate. The new Regional Transit Authority has the ability to levy a half-cent sales tax to pay for all kinds of transit options that would also provide property tax relief.

In fact, the RTA would probably start by taking over the Metro bus system and expanding it both within the city and out into the county. The sales tax would also give us the chance to try bus rapid transit, expand transit services for the elderly and disabled and create a network of park and ride lots. Commuter rail might also be part of the mix, but it's far from the sole focus.

Read more of Mayor Dave's Blog and his response to the recent discussions and questions raised in communities such as Sun Prairie and Monona.