TDA Newsletter 9/26/2019
2019 TDA Annual Meeting
November 7
Sheraton Madison
 
From the buses in Racine to the Port of Green Bay to the rail lines in Superior to the Waukesha County Airport to the roads we use every day, Wisconsin's transportation network is the key to connecting goods to market and people to jobs.

TDA and partners have had success in the last several years, raising the awareness of the transportation funding issue and securing significant new, ongoing revenue in the 2019-2021 budget. But we are not done yet.

Join us at this year's annual meeting to acknowledge our accomplishments, celebrate some exciting things happening in Wisconsin that would not be possible without the state's transportation system, and to hear what's next.

Because at TDA, we know… It's About TIME.

You may register and pay online or  mail in your registration form .   Please register by November 1.
TDA's Latest "On the Go" Podcast: The Link Between Infrastructure and Commercial Real Estate

TDA's newest On the Go podcast features Tracy Johnson, president and CEO of the Commercial Association of REALTORS ® Wisconsin (CARW). The trade association executive explains why commercial REALTORS® have a keen interest in infrastructure and transit issues and how infrastructure investments help propel her industry.

"Within the commercial real estate space, transportation is always a concern," said Johnson. "We are talking about physical buildings: businesses, warehouses, retail spaces. People and product can only get to those places if they have adequate infrastructure."

Johnson also discusses bus rapid transit, the Milwaukee Streetcar, real estate industry trends, and more in this fast-paced, informative podcast.

Listen to the latest episode (and all previous episodes)   here .
Wisconsin Transportation News
WisDOT Announces Criteria for $75 Million Multimodal Grant Program 

The Wisconsin 2019-21 biennial budget provides $75 million to local and tribal governments in one-time general purpose revenue funding (GPR). The funds are available through the Multimodal Local Supplement (MLS) program and may be used for multimodal transportation projects on the local system. The program pays up to 90% of total eligible costs with local governments providing a minimum of 10% cost share.

MLS funding is available for new projects statewide related to roads, bridges, transit capital and facility projects, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, railroads and harbors.
 
Read more of the WisDOT release and access the application here .
News from Around the Nation
Post Bulletin (MN)
September 17, 2019

Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher is proposing a combination of a gas tax increase and debt service fee to pay for badly needed infrastructure improvements. These increased fees could raise gas prices anywhere from 13 to 15 cents per gallon.

Channel 7 - ABC (MI)
September 24, 2019

The Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature approved a bill that would increase funding for roads and bridges by tapping $400 million in one-time general funds. Democrats widely panned the use of general funds, which has been prevalent in recent years, as a Band-aid that hurts funding for other programs, including education. Governor Whitmer (D) has less than a week to sign the bill to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Governor Whitmer had proposed a 45-cents-a-gallon fuel tax hike, which would have generated about $2 billion a year.
Association News
TDA Welcomes New Member

JT Engineering, Inc has locations around the state and specializes in transportation design, construction, constructability reviews, roundabout design, program management, surveying, and IT support.
WTS Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Women's Transportation Seminar - Wisconsin Chapter is celebrating 30 years of advancing women in transportation. Confirmed keynote speakers include Senator Tammy Baldwin and WisDOT Assistant Deputy Secretary Joel Nilsestuen.

October 9
Madison Public Library
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

More details and event registration is here .
Other Upcoming Events