A southeast Wisconsin rail project is part of an economic stimulus package from state Senate Democrats. It's called KRM — commuter rail connecting Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee, and Racine. “We believe that rental care fee is the way to fund it,” said state Sen. John Lehman (D-Racine). That $13 increase in rental car fees in Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine would pay for the commuter rail line. “We believe that the KRM is just central to economic development in Racine,” Lehman said.
The rental car fee increase drew bipartisan support from local government leaders, and is a better funding method than local sales taxes, according to Lehman. The plan was rejected as part of the state budget, by majority Republicans in the Assembly. Lehman hopes to pass it separately.