Article: New budget allows car rental fee to soar 800% But governor, others want impact to be less than that

If you're an elected official, here's one way to raise money without risking your job: Increase a fee that voters perceive is paid primarily by out-of-towners.

Wisconsin's new state budget includes a provision that would allow the not-yet-appointed Southeast Regional Transit Authority to raise the car rental fee by as much as 800%. If the authority, once appointed, eventually votes to levy the maximum fee, it would increase from the current $2 per car rental to $18.

The fee would apply to cars rented in Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine counties. The money would help fund transit programs in southeast Wisconsin, specifically a commuter rail line running through Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee.

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