February 27, 2026

Transit Equity Day Resolution Still Stalled at the Capitol

In honor of Black History Month coming to a close next week, I invited my friends from the Chippewa Valley, Phil Swanhorst and Mark Quam, to talk with me about the need to pass the Senate Joint Resolution honoring Transit Equity Day on February 4th.  

Here’s a transcript of our video:

Sen. Jeff Smith: Hi, folks. I’m state senator Jeff Smith, and I'm your state senator from the Chippewa Valley. Today, I'm with a couple of friends from the Chippewa Valley who are here for Transit Day at the Capitol. And, Mark, you want to talk about why you're here today? 

Mark Quam:  I'm Mark Quam, I'm president of All Aboard Wisconsin, and we're here for passenger rail legislative action day at the Capitol. We're working with our state legislators who have introduced a bill through the rail caucus to get more funding for passenger rail that would benefit all forms of public transportation. 

Jeff: Well, that's really cool. I appreciate you, Mark.  And Phil. Why do we do this in February? 

Phil Swanhorst: We do this in February to honor February is Black History Month, and on February 4th we call it Transit Equity Day, which is Rosa Parks birthday. And she, in the 1950s was a pioneer in civil rights and laid the foundation for people being able to be treated equitably to ride public transportation.

Jeff: It doesn't matter where you come from, your disability, or whatever, or your age, seniority, whatever it might be, that some people can't actually drive themselves to their work to get groceries, to their daycare, to their school. We want to make sure through public transit, everyone has that opportunity to get where they need to be. It drives our economy in our country, doesn't it? 

Phil: Absolutely.

Jeff: And so I appreciate you guys being here today. And remember, ride the bus, get on the rail and let's make it happen. Thanks again for listening today.

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Senator Smith currently represents District 31 in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 31st Senate District currently includes portions of Dunn, Eau Claire, and Trempealeau counties. While he doesn't represent Pierce County specifically, Senator Smith endures to represent everyone in Wisconsin.

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For more from Senator Smith, go to his website at:
https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/31/smith/.