By now, I’m sure everyone’s taken sides on the issue regarding the loss of high-speed rail funding. For me, I truly believe that Wisconsin needs to start regaining its economic integrity before it raises people’s tax dollars to fund projects of this nature. Thus, that money leaving the state and being reallocated to other states is not the terrible result that liberals are making it out to be. Do I think it’s sad that Wisconsin lost out on government funding for one of its transportation projects? Without a doubt. However, I highly believe that building a high-speed rail between Milwaukee and Madison, at this point in time, is unrealistic. It is absolutely ridiculous that President Barack Obama would only allocate that money to states willing to build high-speed railways. The fact that there was no leniency in the way in which those funds could be used scares me. I thought this was a democracy, not a dictatorship.
Either way, I hold Gov. Jim Doyle responsible for his poor decision making. I know many are inclined to blame governor-elect Scott Walker for not retaining those dollars here in Wisconsin, but I’m not going to be so quick to jump on the anti-Wlaker bandwagon, especially given what Gov. Doyle is leaving him to deal with. First of all, why, with all the other infrastructure issues that need immediate attention, did Gov. Doyle go after these particular funds? Truth be told, we don’t NEED a high-speed rail right now. Yes, it would be nice to have one eventually, when our state’s financial situation is well enough to sustain such a project in the long run. Honestly, I would hate to see all this money put into a rail line and, due to lack of funding for upkeep, go by the wayside a few years down the road. If I were in Walker’s shoes, I probably would have done the same thing. While I understand that the implementation of high-speed rail would create jobs, I honestly believe that cutting this kind of unneeded spending and getting the state out of the huge economic hole that has been dug should be the highest priority.
Then, and only then, will businesses start to take Wisconsin seriously and relocate their companies here. Wisconsin has had a long history of having a warm and inviting business climate. But a growing deficit has sent a great deal of businesses packing. And rightfully so. From the get-go, I think Gov. Jim Doyle should have sought grants to help fund projects to improve the deteriorating condition of our state highways.Here in Arcadia, the state assisted our community with rebuilding the intersection of State Highway 95 and County J, a project that, ideally, should have been dealt with long ago.
Though that money is no longer ours to spend, I really don’t consider it a loss on our part. Just because the money is there to spend on projects, it doesn’t mean we have to take it, especially when our economy is not, in any way, shape or form, healthy enough to afford upkeep of a high-speed rail. If anything, this is a step in the right direction for Wisconsin. And, evidently, politicians are capable of holding true to their campaign spiels. Walker said he would cut wasteful spending and that is exactly what he’s doing.
Side note: I found it suspicious that the withdrawal of funding for high-speed rail projects took place in two states (Wisconsin and Ohio) in which Republican candidates won election last month … simply because they would rather use the funds for other, more important and practical projects.
Jennie Oemig
Editor
Arcadia News-Leader
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