Western Wisconsin Didn't Want High-Speed Rail? Another Scott Walker Fumble
That's what Scott Walker said, but I guess the last time he motorcycled through western Wisconsin he missed the regional rail coalition's meetings there, as described in the La Crosse Tribune by this plugged-in La Crosse leader, Jennifer Shilling, a state legislator:
"The Empire Builder High-Speed Rail Coalition has been meeting since 2009 to advocate for a high-speed rail line through Tomah and La Crosse, and the group has been the driving force behind much of the local support. I’ve been proud to work with these regional leaders to look at ways to modernize our transportation infrastructure, provide economic growth and bring jobs to the Coulee Region.
Because of our work, the cities of La Crosse and Onalaska, the La Crosse County Board, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Western Technical College, Viterbo University, Trane Co., CenturyLink, Logistics Health Inc., Gundersen Lutheran, Franciscan Skemp, the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and dozens of other businesses, organizations and community leaders have all expressed their support for high-speed rail.
I have personally received hundreds of comments from La Crosse residents, and more than 86 percent of the people who contacted me about high-speed rail were supporters of the project.
When you consider all of the citizens, businesses, and organizations that have expressed their support, Scott Walker’s comments show a disconnect between him and the people of western Wisconsin on this issue.
His views are clearly out of touch with our community, and as we begin a new legislative session in January, I hope Walker will do a better job of listening to the people of La Crosse and western Wisconsin rather than assuming he knows what’s best for our region."
"Jennifer Shilling represents the 95th District in the Wisconsin Assembly."
1 comment:
As a resident of the Golden State, I would like to thank the neoconservatives of Wisconsin for sending the high speed rail from your state to mine.
It was quite a neighborly thing to do, and I look forward to thinking about Wisconsin's lost jobs, lost economic opportunity and lost progress while streaking between Bakersfield and Fresno, part of the link that will zip me from LA to SF just eight or inion Christmasses from now.
To honor your largesse, I propose that the bar car serve Leinenkugel or some other beer, that I think comes from Wisconsin.
SUDDEN BRAINSTORM: Maybe the railcar company that is pulling out of Wisconsin thanks to your governor can be convinced to play a few brs from "On Wisconsin" or "Beer Barrel Polka" on the door chimes as they close.
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