Wisconsin has been embroiled in a series of fights about a high-speed rail line proposed to link Milwaukee and Madison. Basically, the feds are dangling $810 million of construction costs in front of our governor's face, and he's decided to run with it. Depending on who you believe, the line is expected to create about 55 permanent jobs. The federal carrot is only for construction costs; the Wisconsin taxpayers are set to pick up at least $10 million per year in operating costs.
Not surprisingly, all the conservative gubernatorial candidates are pledging to give back the federal money and stop the project. Time will tell if that is really feasible.
The latest development is related to the proposed intermediate stops. One such stop was supposed to be in Oconomowoc. The city officials there, in the interest of doing their due diligence on behalf of their taxpayers, have asked a lot of questions regarding exact funding levels, the costs the taxpayers would need to pick up and the need for additional parking near the station.
Rather than answer those questions, the Wisconsin DOT sent Oconomowoc a letter, telling them, "You have indicated you no longer have interest in a station in the city of Oconomowoc. ...Due to the lack of interest by the city, we are discontinuing further discussions on a planned station in Oconomowoc."
The Oconomowoc city officials were stunned. I guess actually being responsible and doing the job you were appointed/elected to do is viewed as obstructionist these days.
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