The Brief
- The Hop is facing another $4 million operating budget deficit.
- Milwaukee leaders debated what to do about the streetcar on Thursday.
- The mayor wants to boost the so-called wheel tax $10 per vehicle.
MILWAUKEE – If Mayor Cavalier Johnson gets his way, you will pay more to register your car in Milwaukee next year. Now, one city alderman wants to kill The Hop streetcar instead.
Budget vs. boost
What they’re saying:
Another year, another $4 million operating deficit is projected for The Hop.
“At some point, we have to cut bait,” said Ald. Scott Spiker. “That’s $4 million we don’t put toward libraries. That’s $4 million we don’t put toward streets, $4 million we don’t put toward new fire trucks.”
As the streetcar continues to bleed red ink, the city’s parking division plans to boost revenue by writing a record number of parking tickets next year. Johnson wants to boost the so-called wheel tax $10 per vehicle.…