Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell Calls on Congress to Protect Federal Transit Funding
MILWAUKEE – Today, Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell called on Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation to protect federal transportation funding as Congress considers the BUILD America 250 Act, warning that proposed reductions could threaten critical transit resources across Wisconsin.
That action is particularly urgent as Milwaukee County’s transit system faces significant financial pressure. Transit advocates estimate that Wisconsin could lose at least $17 million annually in federal transit funding under proposed changes.
“We can’t talk about how essential public transportation is and then continue asking our transit system to do more with less,” Nicholson-Bovell said. “Transit is Milwaukee County’s number one legislative priority, and our funding has to reflect that. The BUILD America 250 Act should strengthen public transportation, not move us backward with less funding. We’re calling on Congress to restore and increase transit funding in the final bill and provide the sustainable, long-term investment our communities need to strengthen service.”
Nicholson-Bovell made the call while joining local leaders, transit advocates, and community partners to recognize Week Without Driving, October 1–8, which encourages participants to better understand how people navigate their communities without relying on a car.
“For thousands of people across Milwaukee County, not driving isn’t a challenge for one week. It’s just Monday,” said Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell. “It’s getting to work, getting your child where they need to go, making a doctor’s appointment, buying groceries and getting back home. Those everyday trips are why reliable transportation matters.”
Nicholson-Bovell rode an MCTS bus to the event and emphasized that the week is about more than awareness: It is an opportunity for policymakers to experience transportation differently, listen to riders, and turn that understanding into action.
Milwaukee County Board Resolution 26-688, introduced by Nicholson-Bovell and Supervisor Caroline Gómez-Tom, calls on Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation to sustain federal transportation funding, including transit, in the final BUILD America 250 Act. It also calls for advocacy with the Governor and Wisconsin Counties Association to build statewide support for continued transportation investment.
The Committee on Intergovernmental Relations unanimously recommended adoption on Friday, September 25. The full Milwaukee County Board is scheduled to consider the resolution at its October 1 meeting.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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