Let’s Split the $91.5 million in Transit Money

June 20, 2008

NEWS FROM THE MAYOR

Dear Friends,

Right now, the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce and the Wisconsin Center District are exploring ways to finally utilize $91.5 million in long-idle federal money to enhance and upgrade transportation in our community.

County Executive Scott Walker and I have different views on how to spend this money. Scott thinks all of the money should be used for new buses. I believe we should invest in buses; but we should also seize this opportunity to introduce rail transit to Milwaukee. That’s because all across the country, cities of all types and sizes in every region are reaping the enormous economic benefits created by rail systems.

We have been debating how to use this federal money for far too long, with little to show for it. It is time to break the stalemate. I am prepared today to split the $91.5 million with County Executive Walker.

A split would provide the County with money to purchase new buses, and the remaining dollars would be used to fund a starter system that would introduce rail to Milwaukee. Virtually every major American city that is growing features this technology in its transportation system, and rail can do for Milwaukee what it has done for cities across America: spark billions of dollars of economic growth and development.

No doubt, the County Executive and I have different views on transit. But we must end the paralysis and move this community forward. It’s time for Scott and I to simply agree to disagree, split the $91.5 million and invest our respective shares as we each see fit.

Let’s end the stalemate; let’s split the $91.5 million. I am prepared to accept this deal today. If you agree this is a fair and reasonable compromise, e-mail me and County Executive Walker and tell us it’s time to split the money and finally move forward: countyexec@milwcnty.com.

Affordable Housing in Milwaukee

Over the past two years, the City of Milwaukee has made major gains and significant progress to address affordable housing needs in our community.

Since 2007, $2.9 million has been provided to the Milwaukee Housing Trust Fund, and it is one of the many tools that we are utilizing to address housing needs.

In fact, the City used $62 million in 2007 alone in various sources of federal funding to support the improvement, development and operation of affordable housing.
Some wonder why only a portion of the $2.9 million provided to the Housing Trust Fund has thus far been allocated to affordable housing projects. This is because many of the applications that have been submitted were not ready to proceed. But we are hopeful that in the future, these projects will be able to move forward, and that the city will be able to assist.

Expanding access to affordable housing remains a priority of my Administration, and we will continue to work to increase the quality and supply of affordable housing in Milwaukee, particularly in light of the mortgage foreclosure crisis that is having a serious impact on many of Milwaukee's central city neighborhoods. I am working closely with the Common Council and others to utilize City resources to deal with problems related to foreclosures. For more information, visit the City’s website at www.milwaukee.gov.

FEMA Disaster Declaration

Earlier this week, Milwaukee County was included among a number of Wisconsin counties placed under a federal disaster declaration. With this declaration, residents affected by the recent severe weather may qualify for financial assistance in the form of grants and low interest loans under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual and Households Program.

A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will be established in the City of Milwaukee in the coming days. However, individuals and businesses should register now with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or online at www.fema.gov.

It is important to note that even if residents have already reported damage with the City or County, they must register with FEMA to be considered for federal assistance. Once registered, FEMA will contact residents regarding their claims.

More information about FEMA and a link to the website where residents can register their damages can be found on the City’s website at www.milwaukee.gov.

Expansion of Earn and Learn Program

Yesterday, MPS authorized $400,000 for my Earn & Learn Summer Youth Jobs program. The money will used immediately to hire 300 additional teens to work at a non-profit or faith-based organization.
The additional funding means that a total of 1,000 teens will start a summer job on July 1st in a community-based position. With the additional positions through MPS, a total of 1,500 teens are working either in a city internship, a community-based job or a private sector position this summer.
I launched the Earn & Learn program in 2005 to give teens an opportunity to make money and expose them to job skills and career possibilities. The program, administered by the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board, creates and places teens in summer jobs with city government, community organizations and in the private sector.

Teens across the country are struggling to find a summer job in a challenging employment market and I’m thrilled that Milwaukee Public Schools will join in my campaign to connect teens to a critical first job experience. This program makes a difference in connecting our teens to work skills and a path towards careers

And it’s not too late for other companies to take on a teen. Businesses interested in hiring a summer youth worker should contact Bill Malone at 286-5894.

Sincerely,

Mayor, City of Milwaukee 

Visit my website at: http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/mayor