He did not like the construction costs being only partially covered either or the terms of the Federal grant being that the rail line had to be up and operating to spec by a specific date or the original $800 million grant would turn into a loan that had to be repaid with interest. Wisconsin voters tend to favor the incremental vs the all at once approach as well…see the same thing in Dallas with DART.
In regards to subsidy, he has carefully reduced the Chicago -Milwaukee subsidy without impacting service all that much. If he gets his three additional Chicago-Milwaukee RT frequencies he just might have a self-sufficient corridor there with little or no subsidy.
BTW, I noticed this as a general rule with the electorate in this country. They do not like to pay multiple Billions for a landmark project up front in which there is no immediate gratification or enjoyment of it until years in the future. Incremental projects always seem to garner support, especially those that can be enjoyed relatively quickly.