Governor Walker’s rejection last year of high speed rail dollars from the federal government gets some more attention. Anne Sayers of the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters argues the Milwaukee-to-Madison line would’ve benefitted the economy and environment.
Sayers comments came during a Citizen Action conference call, in which Wisconsin critics of Walker teamed with counterparts in Illinois to discuss his policies.
Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois Chapter, said Illinois officials were “shocked” that Walker rejected $810 million in federal funds for the project. He said high speed rail in his home state has bi-partisan support because of its economic opportunities and reduction of emissions.
Walker, in his run for governor, campaigned on killing the high speed rail line, saying the state would have to shoulder much of the operating costs.
Talgo, the company at the center of the cancelled high speed rail project, is now threatening to sue Wisconsin over a separate agreement. The Spanish firm is claiming the state is violating a contract when it cancelled its deal to build equipment for the Milwaukee-to-Chicago Amtrak line.
AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (1:10)