Doyle calls regional transit bill good compromise

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Jim Doyle says he thinks a bill before the state Assembly creating a regional transit system in southeast Wisconsin is a very good compromise.

The bill up for a vote Tuesday would allow Milwaukee County to levy up to a half-cent sales tax to help pay for commuter rail and bus service.

Even if the measure passes on Tuesday, it still must clear the Senate on Thursday and be signed by the governor before becoming law.

Doyle said he hopes to get a bill to sign and it would be a “tragedy” if southeast Wisconsin doesn’t get a so-called RTA.

The bill would create interim regional transit authorities in Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth counties. Another bill creates an RTA in the Fox Cities.