Efforts to raise car rental fees in southeast Wisconsin encountered a temporary setback when the Wisconsin legislature’s Joint Finance Committee failed to approve the action this Thursday, reports the Business Journal of Milwaukee.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority had hoped to include a $13 increase in the state budget, raising fees in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties from $2 to $15. The increased funds would be used to build a commuter rail line connecting the three counties.

The committee deadlocked 8-8 on the issue with an even split along party lines: Democrats favored the action, and Republicans opposed it.

H. Carl Mueller, spokesperson for the Transit Authority, remains hopeful. He anticipates more success swaying the Democratic-controlled Senate, which is due to pass the final budget in the next several weeks.