Good Money after Bad: Committee Hears Why We Spend Over $4 Million Net on the Streetcar while Raising Taxes and Fees

Do you know why we spend over $4 million a year (net; $7 million gross) on a streetcar system that goes nowhere and that no one outside of downtown rides?

Neither do I.

Fortunately, on Thursday, October 16th at 1 p.m. in Room 301-B at City Hall, our questions – though not our prayers – will be answered.

The Department of Public Works will attempt to shed light on the Mayor’s choice in his 2026 proposed budget to continue sending good money after bad by supporting a streetcar system with no possibility of growth and every certainty of losing money.

The galling context framing this discussion is his attendant proposal to raise taxes and fees – including our favorite, the Wheel Tax – at the same damn time.

The Fourth Estate should attend this hearing to learn why the only people who think this is a good idea reside in leadership in the Mayor’s Office and his Department of Public Works.

I, for one, will be waiting with baited breath. Get out your popcorn.

N.B.: AI? As if…

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.