Milwaukee Rising

Barrett champions transit, Great Lakes Compact in "State of the City"

Feb. 18, 2008 -- The Milwaukee community must confront the "stark reality" that the Milwaukee County Transit System is on the "precipice of disaster," according to Mayor Tom Barrett.

"No major city can thrive and flourish without a modern transportation system that serves those who must get to and from a job," he said.

Barrett made his comments in his "State of the City" address last week. The mayor, in his 14-page address, spoke on major topics like transportation, jobs, water and guns, but the part of the speech that got the most attention was four sentences concerning the potential return of the Great Circus Parade.

Barrett called for local leaders to use the $91 million in federal funding set aside 16 years ago to improve local transit.

"The time has come for the key stakeholders to come together, find middle ground and reach an agreement on a new vision for our transit system." he said.

Regional transportation planning needs to be "more strategic and thoughtful" as well, he said.

The state's proposed, unfunded $1.9 billion North-South I-94 expansion project will be the most expensive road project in state history, he said. Meanwhile, transit initiatives like the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail extension and high-speed rail are stalled.

"No one is saying that the state should stop investing in highway construction," Barrett said. "It is time, however, to strike a balance between highway investments and transit improvements....Why is it that when the big transportation plans are rolled out, the only thing being advanced is a highway or freeway expansion?"

On other topics, Barrett:

Said the state legislature should approve the Great Lakes Compact and questioned the potential role of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission in approving water diversions outside the Great Lakes Basin. "Unless the make-up of the Commission changes to reflect the population of the City of Milwaukee, I would be hard-pressed to rely on SEWRPC to protect Milwaukee’s
interests," he said.
Called for tighter gun laws. "It’s just too easy to get an illegal handgun in Milwaukee," he said. He continued: "We have got to close the gun show loop hole. All gun sales have to be subject to background checks. We must be able to trace guns used in crimes back to their purchasers. We need to know where the illegal guns are coming from and who’s selling them."
Announced a new initiative to create 1,550 summer and year-round jobs for young people.
Announced an "I Have a Dream" initiative that will assist students now enrolled at Clarke St. Elementary School to go to and graduate from college.
Said he will establish a Milwaukee Business Services Unit to allow businesses to have a single point of contact with the city. "My goal is to make it quick and easy for businesses to meet their immediate needs as well as for Milwaukee to attract new businesses to our great City," he said.