Protesters Blast Wisconsin's Refusal of Rail Money

Protesters in Wisconsin are trying to reverse governor-elect Scott Walker's opposition to stimulus-funding for high speed rail projects -- $810 million that the government would have paid the state.

1 minute read

December 16, 2010, 9:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Based on Walker's stand, the U.S. Department of Transportation last week withdrew an $810 million grant that would have paid for the 110-mph line connecting Milwaukee and Madison. The next day, Spanish-owned Talgo Inc. announced it would shut down its Milwaukee train manufacturing operations in 2012, leaving only a maintenance base for the two trains it is building for Amtrak's existing Milwaukee-to-Chicago Hiawatha line.

Speaking at a rally in the Milwaukee City Hall rotunda, Sheila Cochran, secretary-treasurer of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, lambasted Walker's claim that the federal decision was a victory, saying, "I don't know how you declare victory when you turn back $810 million" that would have helped create thousands of jobs."

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barnett joined others in the city to condemn the refusal of funds.

Monday, December 13, 2010 in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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