There's a movement afoot by opponents of commuter rail to get a question on the November election ballot. The question looks straightforward enough: Do you support increasing the sales tax to pay for commuter rail? 

The problem is that it's not accurate. The new Regional Transit Authority has the ability to levy a half-cent sales tax to pay for all kinds of transit options that would also provide property tax relief.

In fact, the RTA would probably start by taking over the Metro bus system and expanding it both within the city and out into the county. The sales tax would also give us the chance to try bus rapid transit, expand transit services for the elderly and disabled and create a network of park and ride lots. Commuter rail might also be part of the mix, but it's far from the sole focus.

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz held a public meeting Tuesday night to get public input on what should go in the city’s next budget, which will be a balancing act between keeping vital programs running without adding more to taxpayers’ plates.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz has announced three public meetings on the City of Madison budget for 2011. All three meetings will take place in August, prior to the introduction of the Mayor’s proposed capital and operating budgets.

"These public meetings are important opportunities for Madisonians to make their voices heard on the city’s budget priorities for the coming year," Mayor Cieslewicz said. "It should come as no surprise that we continue to face a very challenging economic climate and a very challenging budget. Public input is extremely important to me as we work to protect services that are important to our citizens."

The Mayor’s public budget hearings are set for:

Monday, August 2, 6:00p.m.

Lussier Community Education Center, Spartan Youth Service Classroom

55 South Gammon Road

Tuesday, August 10, 6:00p.m.

Urban League of Greater Madison, Suite 200

2222 South Park Street