League of Wisconsin Municipalities
  Capitol Buzz 
December 8, 2016
  
  
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Mayor's Ambulance Challenge Illustrates Transportation Needs
 
Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly released a video today of him taking an ambulance ride over city streets to help illustrate that smooth, well maintained streets are critical to the health and safety of ambulance riders. Mayor Reilly's video mirrors Assembly Speaker Robin Vos's ambulance ride video, which was done earlier this week to draw attention to the condition of roads in Wisconsin. 

Speaker Vos is a strong advocate for passing a  long-term  sustainable solution to the state's transportation funding shortfall.  You can watch the Vos video here:  http://www.wisconsinems.com/
   
Mayor Reilly challenges other mayors and village presidents to video tape themselves taking a ride in an ambulance and to post it online.  Be sure to share your ambulance challenge videos with the League.
City Officials Testify Before Legislative Committee on Transportation Funding Needs  
 
On Tuesday of this week, the following city officials testified before the Assembly Transportation Committee:

Ashland Mayor Deb Lewis
Baraboo Mayor Mike Palm
Sheboygan Mayor Mike Vandersteen
Marshfield Administrator Steve Barg

Each did a terrific job describing the challenges they face in funding their city's transportation needs, including transit. The League thanks each of these officials for taking the time to come to Madison to advocate for a long-term and sustainable solution to the revenue shortage in the state's transportation fund. 

League Executive Director Jerry Deschane also testified at the hearing.  He communicated two main points:

1. The League supports and appreciates DOT's proposed increase in local transportation aids for the 2017-2019 biennium.
 
2. However, the proposed increase in local aids must be viewed in the context of the entire transportation budget.  The League is committed to working with the Governor and the Legislature to find a long-term sustainable solution to funding our state's infrastructure needs that guarantees Wisconsin's entire transportation system, including municipal streets, mass transit systems, and state highways are well maintained now and into the future.