Fox Valley leaders seek new way to create regional transit authority

From an article by Steve Wideman in the Appleton Post-Crescent:

APPLETON — State government's refusal to authorize formation of a Fox Cities regional bus transit system only cements local resolve to create the system, Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna said.

Gov. Jim Doyle on Monday signed into law a two-year, $62 billion state budget more notable for its exclusions than accomplishments in the eyes of local transit system managers.

The budget, which levies a new 75-cent tax on cigarettes and a 75-cent monthly fee on all phone users, does not include necessary state authorization for Fox Cities communities to form a regional bus transportation system and levy a local sales tax to replace the anticipated loss of millions of dollars in federal aid.

Hanna said municipal leaders plan nonetheless to forge ahead and convince state legislators to approve a bill pending in the state Senate. Senate Bill 205 enables creation of regional transit systems statewide and sales taxes of up to 0.05 cents, or one half of 1 percent, to at least partially fund operations.