As I See It
Wisconsin lawmakers stand against trains
What do Wisconsin Republicans have against train travel? Leaders of the state legislature are adamant they won’t spend any money to provide Amtrak service in Madison. Both Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin Lemahieu have been emphatic that when they approve the next state budget, it will not include any money to connect Madison with Milwaukee. That is despite the fact that the rail expansion would be paid for with mostly federal money. The bipartisan infrastructure bill that Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed makes some $100 billion in federal money available for expansion of rail service throughout the country. The federal government has made expanding rail service a priority, but state leaders continue to balk at the idea. It is not the first time. In 2010 then Governor Scott Walker also refused $810 million in federal money to improve rail service between Chicago and St. Paul. As a result, no Amtrak trains stop in Wisconsin’s capital city, but stops daily in places like La Crosse and Tomah on its way to Milwaukee and Chicago. The money is available to fund this project and the demand is there from passengers. Wisconsin legislators should take another look, and not be so quick to rule out making it easier for people to ride the rails.
Sam Fellows
December 19, 2022 at 6:18 pm
No one will ride the trains and it will turn into another sink hole for taxpayer dollars. My family rode trains for years, back in the 50’s and 60’s, but now train travel is not affordable or timely.
Thank you
Bill Hickey
December 20, 2022 at 1:52 pm
Train Travel is Popular in Every Developed Country Except U.S.
Just because YOU Won’t Ride on a train, Does Not Give you the authority to Speak For Everyone.
I’m Sure there are Plenty of Future Passengers that would Love to Ride the Rails.
Colleen LeBlanc
December 21, 2022 at 6:58 am
This is similar to not accepting Medicaid money for our Badgercare. Other states accepted it. We contribute to it but can’t have use of federal dollars for medical coverage of the poor. Now we can’t have a train to Madison. I know people who could greatly benefit from this. This is ridiculous to not take federal money for expansion.