Governor-elect Scott Walker had vowed to kill the planned 110-mph Milwaukee-to-Madison passenger train route that was to be funded with Wisconsin's share of $8 billion in federal stimulus dollars. Ohio Governor-elect John Kasich had issued a similar promise for a planned 79-mph line connecting his state's three largest cities, funded by $400 million in stimulus cash.
Now, almost all of the $1.2 billion from the two projects will be divided among other states. California is the big winner, with up to $624 million, followed by Florida, up to $342.3 million; Washington, up to $161.5 million; and Illinois, up to $42.3 million. Smaller amounts will go to New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Missouri, Oregon, North Carolina, Iowa and Indiana.....
In a meeting with reporters in Waukesha, Walker called the decision a "victory" because he sees the rail line as a symbol of excessive government spending.
"That's the decision they've made and we're going to move forward," the Republican governor-elect said.
Even with the federal government paying all construction costs, Walker has said he didn't want state taxpayers to bear any of the operating costs. ......."
It’s safe to say that CA will not be a “winner” with it’s disastrous rail project.
Let’s see how it turns out by 2020.
Florida dumped high speed rail too... massive up keep and cost and no proven ridership.
Reminds me of big city buses lumbering around town with two passengers. It would be cheaper to send a limo to the homes of the few riders... or buy them a car. Public transportation is another liberal idea without merit.
Walker was right to turn down the boondoggle.