Gov. Tony Evers provides $25 million to Milwaukee, Madison transit systems after lawmakers cut their state funding

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced Monday he is giving an additional $25 million in federal funding to the state's two largest transit systems after Republican lawmakers this summer sought to limit how much their budgets would grow.

Evers is providing Milwaukee County with $19.7 million and Madison with $5.2 million. Evers is using federal funds provided under the American Rescue Plan that Congress passed this year.

Separate from Evers' action, Congress has already given large increases to transit systems across the country to help them deal with the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As part of that effort, Milwaukee County is receiving more than $215 million and Madison about $70 million.

In response to those increases, Republicans who control the Legislature this summer cut state funding for Milwaukee County and Madison by about $40 million over two years.

The state and federal action resulted in the two transit systems receiving big increases in their budgets, but not ones as large as they would have been if state lawmakers had kept state funding at past levels.

Monday's announcement means they'll get $25 million on top of the other increases.

While Republican lawmakers reduced state funding for Milwaukee County and Madison, they did not make cuts to other transit systems, like those in Green Bay and Appleton.

“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," Evers said in a statement.

In a statement, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Evers was wasting money.

"The governor undoubtedly needs supervision on how to properly and effectively spend these dollars, but he’s content with funneling unnecessary dollars to the only two cities he cares about in the state," the Rochester Republican said in his statement.

Evers has control of billions of dollars in recent federal funding and he is using that money to help the transit systems.

Speaking at a Milwaukee bus maintenance facility, Evers said he did not restore all of the cuts Republicans made because many other entities are also requesting assistance.

"We did as much as we could, but the line is very, very long," he said.

State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, slammed Republicans for removing the state funding in the budget, saying the cut only to Milwaukee and Madison showed Republicans are upset that Wisconsin’s two largest cities received American Rescue Plan dollars.

"It was spiteful, it was mean-spirited and it was counter-productive," Johnson said.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said building up the transportation system would help break down Milwaukee’s disparities and attract workers and businesses.

"Transportation is an important resource to any community, but especially to Milwaukee, where we believe that community members should have connections to job centers, grocery stores, medical offices as well as our beautiful recreation," he said.

Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.