1000 Friends of Wisconsin

Milwaukee voters said "YES!" to the idea of increasing sales tax to fund better transit and better parks in Milwaukee County. The surprising level of support shows that voters strongly support transit and parks and is a strong rejection of the policies of County Executive Soctt Walker sho opposes the tax increase. The referendum was non-binding and faces an uncertain future. More..

The cost of just running day to day errands or getting to work, let alone taking that family vacation, just keeps getting worse. We pay for it every day in dollars at the pump and hours lost sitting on congested, crumbling roads. We need a bold agenda to fix our roads and bridges; build high speed trains; invest in public transit, streets safe for biking and walking, and green innovation.

Comprehensive Planning Law Changes Discussed

Allies who worked to pass the state's comprehensive planning law (aka Smart Growth) back in 1998 and 1999 have been meeting again to discuss potential changes to the landmark land use legislation.

Atop the list of concerns is the January 1, 2010 statutory deadline that requires all communities that engage in zoning, subdivision regulation and official mapping make decisions that are consistent with an adopted comprehensive plan. While nearly 90% of the municipalities that are required to adopt plans have either completed their plans or have plans underway, some municipalities have not started their plans and will not be in compliance in 2010. Some of those municipalities claim that they would do plans but they have been unable to get state grants to help them undertake plans.

An extension of the deadline, with certain safegaurds is under consideration. Details

As gas topped $4 a gallon in Wisconsin earlier this year, drivers turned to transit as a commute alternative in record numbers. For the first six months of 2008, total miles driven were down almost 5% compared to the first six months of 2007. Transit ridership was up in every transit system in the state. Yet, despite the dramatic increase in transit ridership, many systems are facing the need to increase fares because of the increased fuel costs.

Commuters deserve better. Despite massive subsidies for highways (see 1000 Friends report) transit systems limp along trying to meet the needs of a growing number of riders.

1000 Friends of Wisconsin has been working with a number of advocates to help commuters avoid paying exorbitant fuel costs associated with driving by developing a new, dedicated source of funding for transit systems. Relying on a one-half cent increase in the local sales tax, Regional Transit Authorities (RTA’s)could bring transit into the modern era. It would allow systems to expand service areas and service hours, making transit a true alternative to thousands of commuters who have no choice today but to drive.

Creation of an RTA requires a change to state law that would allow communities to create the body and the taxing authority needed to raise revenues. The legislature has commissioned a Legislative Council Study Committee to make recommendations for potential state laws that could lead to the creation of RTA’s. Even if the state grants authority for RTA’s, local units of government would have to authorize the creation of the taxation district either through a local resolution or a referendum.

Wisconsin Drivers Cut Back

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Story

State’s residents drove 4.9% less in June than a year before, the first indication that gas prices are changing behaviors.

Wisconsin residents are driving significantly less than they did a year ago, one of the first concrete indicators that gas prices are changing behavior.

In June, Wisconsinites drove 4.9% less than they did in June 2007, or about 257 million miles less, according to the Federal Highway Administration's monthly traffic volume report.

Nationwide, vehicle traffic declined 4.7% compared with June 2007, with Americans driving about 12.2 billion miles less.

Land Use Recommendations from Global Warming Task Force

Governor Doyle's Global Warming Task Force finalizes its recommendations on Thursday, July 24. 1000 Friends of Wisconsin was instrumental in developing policies that encourage better community design andenhanced transit systems as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.

Specific policies are directed at mass transit funding and community development to reduce vehicle miles driven, including options such as local mass transit, intercity rail, walking and biking. These policies seek to diversify mobility options for individuals and businesses, thereby reducing fuel use, emissions, and transportation costs.

Milwaukee One of Best For Walkability

Milwaukee is a top tier city for walkability, making it one of the best cities in the U.S. for breaking the gasoline habit, according to the land use group 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.

“This new walkability rating shows what most Milwaukeeans already know – the city has many great places to get to without a car. Milwaukee has a lot to offer for anyone interested in a hassle free, less auto-dependent lifestyle,” said Steve Hiniker, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.

“The only thing missing in Milwaukee for kicking the car and gasoline addiction is a modern transit system that includes light rail and street cars. By connecting walkable neighborhoods with streetcars, Milwaukee residents would truly have the option to get around without a car. Residents would no longer have to shell out nearly 20% of their income for transportation. Commuters would have access to Milwaukee great neighborhoods without a car if the area had light rail.”

Score Your Neighborhood

Are you completely dependent on your car for all trips - or do you live in a neighborhood where driving is a choice, not a requirement? With gas over $4 a gallon and $6 a gallon on the horizon most people are looking for ways to drive their cars less. A well designed neighborhood caters to its residents by offering many walkable destinations.

Walkscore can help you determine how walkable your neighborhood is by identifying local destinations such as restaurant, schools, parks, movie theaters, etc and giving a "walkability" score between one and one hundred (1000 Friends office has a walkability score of 100!)

Photo by Dan Burden

The tool can help you plan for better neighborhood development and it can help you deterime the walkability of a house you might be interested in purchasing.

1000 Friends of Wisconin can help you with your neighborhood's walkability through a "walking audit." Contact us for more information on improving walking experiences in your nieghborhood.

Suddenly, the economics of American suburban life are under assault as skyrocketing energy prices inflate the costs of reaching, heating and cooling homes on the distant edges of metropolitan areas.

Working Lands Initiative Builds Support

Members of the state's Working Lands Initiative met on June 4th for an update on the progess to date in implementing the recommendations adopted one year ago. Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Rod Nilsestuen convened the group (1000 Friends is a member) to learn that all of the attendees are committed to actively support the implementation of the Working Lands Initiative in the next legislative cycle begining in 2009.

Later, Secretary Nilsestuen announced that the American Farmland Trust is working with Vicki Elkin, Policy Director for Gathering Waters Conservancy to further the goals of the Working Lands Initiative recommendations.

What to do about $4 a gallon gas

With gas prices now over the $4 a gallon and mark, consumers are desperately looking for relief. Unfortunately for those of us driving up to the gas pump, our elected leaders have been pandering rather than acting.

The bad news is that there is little we can do to ease the pain in the short term. The good news is that we know how to minimize our exposure to high prices over the long term. And since high gas prices are here to stay, we should get started today.

Mass transit surge: Most riders since 1957

The Department of Energy forecasts that oil prices will stay well above $100 a barrel

1000 Friends Objects to Widening

I-94 in City of Milwaukee

1000 Friends of Wisconsin joined with the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin , Sierra Club Great Waters Group, Midwest Environmental Advocates, the and the NAACP of Milwaukee in opposing Wisconsin Department of Transportation plans to widen I-94 in the city of Milwaukee. Comments were filed on May 5, objecting to the DOT's environmental impact statement. 1000 Friends and the other groups said that the DOT had not adequately addressed concerns regarding public health impacts in Milwaukee, had not adequately evaluated alternatives taht would have rebuilt but not added lanes in the City of Milwaukee and ignored any impact of added greenhouse gas emissions.

2008 Comprehensive Planning Grants Announced

2007 Growth and Transportation Survey

Three-fourths of Americans believe that being smarter about development and improving public transportation are better long-term solutions for reducing traffic congestion than building new roads, according to a survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors® and Smart Growth America. The 2007 Growth and Transportation Survey details what Americans think about how development affects their immediate community.

Full Press Release (148kb PDF)
Graphics and Tables (785kb PDF)
Full Questionnaire (114kb PDF)

WIDENING I-94 WILL ADD TO GLOBAL WARMING

OVER 7 MILLION TONS OF ADDITIONAL CO2 IN 50 YEARS

As the state of Wisconsin works to find ways to curb the causes of global warming by limiting carbon dioxide emissions, the proposed widening of I-94 in southeast Wisconsin would significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions, according to an analysis by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.

The land use organization claimed that widening the road from 6 lanes to 8 lanes for 35 miles will result in more than 7 million additional tons of CO2 emitted from cars on that portion of the interstate over the next 50 years. For comparison purposes, each Wisconsin resident is responsible for about 20 tons of C02 emissions a year.

1000 Friends based its findings on an analysis undertaken by the non-partisan Sightline Institute in Seattle, Washington. According to the Sightline Institute, each new lane mile of Interstate Highway will result in the emission of more than 100,000 additional tons of CO2 over the next 50 years. (http://www.sightline.org/research/energy/res_pubs/climate-analysis-gge-new-lanes-10-07 )

The analysis included the following assumptions:

· Adding lanes to a highway will increase total global warming emissions over the long term -- even if it reduces congestion over the short term.

· Specifically -- each extra lane-mile built will increase emissions of carbon-dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, by more than 100,000 tons over 50 years.

· Any short-term fuel savings from congestion relief are quickly overwhelmed by increased traffic volumes on the roadway.

· This estimate takes into account the potential for major increases in vehicle fuel efficiency over 50 years. Even assuming major mpg improvements, we still find that total emissions rise when congested highways are widened.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not mention Carbon Dioxide or global warming in its discussion of the environmental impacts of the proposed widening. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that carbon dioxide is a pollutant that the Environmental Protection Agency is required to regulate. Several organizations, including 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, have pointed out the shortcomings of the draft environmental statement.

1000 Friends of Wisconsin renewed its calls for funding transit options and rebuilding the highway in its current six-lane configuration.

Read Transportation Fast Facts Here

TOP TEN REASONS TO OPPOSE I-94 EXPANSION

As the state moves forward on its plans to spend nearly two billion dollars to expand I-94 in southeast Wisconsin, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin has developed a top ten list of reasons to oppose the plan.

Less Auto-Dependent Development Is Key to Mitigating Climate Change

A new publication from the Urban Land Institute demonstrates that we have to find a way to sharply reduce the growth in vehicle miles driven across the nation’s sprawling urban areas, reversing trends that go back decades. This publication is based on an exhaustive review of existing research on the relationship between urban development, travel, and the CO2 emitted by motor vehicles. It provides evidence on nd insights into how much transportation-related CO2 savings can be expected with compact development, how compact development is likely to be received by consumers, and what policy changes will make compact development possible.

Wisconsin Property Taxpayers Shoulder $1.3 Billion in Road and Highway Costs Annually

Transit costs on the property taxes comparatively small

1000 Friends of Wisconsin has released a report showing Wisconsin property taxpayers shoulder $1.3 billion in road and highway costs each year. The report destroys the myth that roads and highways costs are covered by ‘user fees’ such as gas taxes and registration fees. This report also shows that less than $50 million in transit costs are covered by property taxes statewide each year.

“The widely held belief that Wisconsin drivers pay the full costs of road and highways through their gas taxes and registration fees is wrong,” said Steve Hiniker, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. “Each year, roughly 40% of road and highway costs – totaling $1.3 billion - are shouldered by property taxpayers.”

1000 Friends Partners on Solve Global Warming Web site

Community Planning

Transportation

1000 Friends has released its second transportation briefing booklet - "Where Do We Go From Here."

It is intended to educate citizens, policy makers, business interests, transportation providers, and the media and elevate the public discussion of key transportation challenges and opportunities we face in Wisconsin today. To receive a copy in the mail, email ward@1kfriends.org, or read it online in a pdf format.