MILWAUKEE — Governor Tony Evers today announced a $19.7 million investment in transit services for Milwaukee County, partially restoring some of the funds that were cut by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance during the state budget process earlier this year.
The investment – which was supported by the state's American Rescue Plan Act dollars – will help fill a gap in funding created when Republican legislators voted to cut $32.7 million from public transit funding in Milwaukee County over the biennium.
The resources provided today will help Milwaukee County support transit services to help Wisconsinites get to work, school and job training, medical appointments, and other activities, especially low-to-middle-income Wisconsinites, individuals with disabilities, and communities of color who disproportionately depend on public transit.
“I often talk about connecting the dots, and that is exactly what our vital transit systems do across our state, helping workers, families, and students get from point A to point B safely,” said Gov. Evers. “For our most urban centers to be targeted by Republican cuts during the last budget was a slap in the face to the disproportionate number of Wisconsinites in those communities who depend on public transit to get to school, work, doctor's appointments—you name it. I am glad to be putting our ARPA funds to good use in these communities to help ensure our families, workers and businesses, and our economic drivers for the state continue to bounce back from the pandemic and see long-term economic recovery.”
“Thank you to Congress for passing the American Rescue Plan and thank you to Governor Evers for recognizing the importance of funding a key resource for Milwaukee County residents. Transportation is an important resource in any community, but especially in Milwaukee County where we believe every resident should have connections to job centers, grocery stores, medical offices, and recreation,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “This is an investment in equity for our county and the exact kind of actions we need to take if we want to see families, communities, and our economy succeed for years to come.”