Great commentary from a conservative who thinks rail projects are a good thing

[zulchzulu]

With several newly elected Republicans wanting to stop rail projects that Obama had helped put in through the Stimulus, here is an excellent opinion by a conservative explaining how rail projects are good:

Facts and reason, combined with enlightened self-interest, suggest conservatives should be the champions of more passenger trains, not their enemies. Those trains will give us something we want and use in return for our tax money (a rare event). Maybe it’s time for conservative governors to stop giving the people who put them in office a kick in the pants, with an order, “Hit the road.”

http://scottwalkerwatch.com/?p=138

[BeyondGeography]

1. Interesting comments

My fave:

theMAN172595 wrote "You don't seem to understand the financial situation of this state.

I don't think we conservatives are opposed to the entire idea of the train, its just that this is the WRONG time to build it. "

Building this later would cost another $160 million in construction costs. The Federal government never provides more than 80% capital funding for rail projects. Because of the fear of a 2nd Great Depression, the feds offered 100% this time only (they have already gone back to 80% funding for new projects).

It is 100% federal funding now (and perhaps $7.5 million/year starting in 2014) or it is $100 million now (in cancellation costs) plus $162 million--the 20% local match--in 2014 (and $7.5 million/year starting in 2018) or whatever.

If this project is to be built at all, the time to build it is now. The $7.5 million in annual expense is a pittance. And if Doyle is right that the actual cost would be $750,000, then consider that Wisconsin spends over $1 million/year just on snow removal on I-94 between Milwaukee & Madison (not including springtime pot hole repairs).

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/107079873.html?page=1

A little slice-of-life on the destructiveness of knee jerk conservatism.