The train is coming to Wisconsin...but are these really the right times?

This article was published in the Cardinal last week. Although the money may go to another state if we don't take it, the costs associated with a rail line are much more than just the initial development.

The government needs to do more research before just launching this project. Are people even going to use the line?  Perhaps need to do some statistical evidence before taxing citizens

Additionally, as Walker has noted other times when addressing this issues, cost for a project like this often runs 2 to 3 times higher than they are initially proposed - are these the right economic times for such a proposal? As Walker has pointed out, often times no rail line (or any other form of public transportation) can run without "substantial subsidy for operations." This is reflected in the proposed ticket prices. A $20 to $33 for ticket from Milwaukee to Madison will not cover operations, and will cost the state $7.5 million to run the rail, says the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Finally, will the funding for this transportation be siphoned from the already raided transportation fund which services our heavily used roads?

All are important things to think about before we rush into another very costly government funded program. Please comment if you wish.

The Cardinal article: http://www.dailycardinal.com/news/republicans-say-rail-line-may-cost-taxpayers-in-future-1.1159954

Walker Speaks at Capitol - Dems scoff at his calls for tax breaks

Scott Walker was at it again yesterday, touting job creation and tax breaks for businesses and families as he attempts to capture the electorate this fall when voters go to the polls. Walker is the current Milwaukee County Executive running for Governor.

It surprised me that Assembly Floor Leader Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna was quoted in the Daily Cardinal as disagreeing with Walker, saying the more regulation on businesses would be more favorable for state economic growth. He says it's a step back on "important progressive changes the Legislature has made this year." Progressive to regulate and tax businesses? It hasn't worked too well thus far...

The Daily Cardinal article can be found here:
http://www.dailycardinal.com/news/walker-outlines-platform-on-job-growth-taxes-1.1087776

Wisconsin Needs Some Common Sense Leadership for Change

Scott Walker has led Milwaukee County out of trouble and he can do the same thing for the state of Wisconsin

Wisconsin is in the midst of a major crisis. In addition to the nearly $6 billion budget deficit the state is facing, it is hemorrhaging businesses and the jobs that are tied to them, which will only exacerbate the budget problem. Beyond those issues, there are questions as to how our state will replenish the highway fund and other segregated funds like it, which have been pilfered by Governor Doyle to patch other holes in the state budget that were apparently more pressing at the time. Governor Doyle has responded with deep cuts in many areas and by raising all sorts of taxes and fees. Also, not surprisingly, he has elected not to run for re-election in 2010. But the damage is done and now someone else is going to need to come in and clean up the mess before things get worse.

So who should Wisconsin turn to? The ideal candidate for this job is someone who has faced, and persevered in the face of, a situation like this before. That candidate is Scott Walker. He was elected County Executive of Milwaukee County in a special election that resulted when his predecessor was involved in a pension scandal that left the county in terrible financial shape. During his years as County Executive there, not only has Walker restored order, he has found a way to cut the county’s debt and in 2008, in spite of what has been going on in the national economy and in the Wisconsin economy, Milwaukee County recorded a budget surplus. Those feats are impressive enough on their own but they are even more so when you consider that they were accomplished without any increase of the property tax levy. This is exactly the kind of leadership we need in Wisconsin.

Walker has certainly been successful for Milwaukee County and he has plans for the state of Wisconsin too. They start with creating a tax and regulatory climate that will encourage businesses to bring jobs back to the state. Government spending does not create anything. It is only a redistribution of resources. Businesses create products and jobs so it is very important to bring them back to Wisconsin. Another important aspect of Walker’s plans is responsibility in government. Walker has pledged to spend every taxpayer dollar as if it was his own. He has certainly kept that promise to the people of Milwaukee County.
Wisconsin has the potential to be great again. Scott Walker believes in that potential and has proven that he will implement policies which will allow it to flourish. At a time like this, Wisconsin needs a leader that can get results. Scott Walker has done that in the past and can do it again.

--Ben Turpin