Join the discussion on the following article:
State rejects Talgo claim, company may sue over unpaid trains
Welcome to wonderful Wisconsin! America’s dairyland is populated not only by cheeseheads, but airheads also. Used to be considered a progressive place; and there were some pretty good trains for the time. Now, over $1.7 billion is to be spent redoing the “zoo” interchange on Milwaukee’s westside. Any planning in the works for rail transit in that area? Or anywhere in metro Milw.? What do you think?
Talgo got alot of money… Let them sell it elsewhere. Obviously the market isnt pushing this.
States need to run a budget in the BLACK… Subsidizing these would put a huge burden on taxpayers who LIVE there. Let the private sector run them… but wait, Passenger trains RARELY make money … what then>???
and this idiot wants another 4 years. if we had amtrak and a good commuter system, you people wouldn’t be sitting on the belt line or half way out on the interstate during rush hour. i hope you people who voted for him are happy.
I’m not surprised by this decision of the claims board. From the state’s website, “The Board has five members representing the Department of Justice, the Department of Administration, the Governor’s Office, the State Senate and the State Assembly. The offices of the Claims Board are located at the Department of Administration in Madison, Wisconsin.” I can’t imagine the political appointees would go against the governor.
This was just the first step. Once the claims board denies the claim, it can proceed to the courts to address.
What the #$%@ happened to Wisconsin??
Walker is a real “tool”!
From afar, this looks like the state is so hell-bent on waging political warfare against passenger rail that it is willing to cause collateral damage to a passenger rail manufacturing company. Am sure they were glad to get rid of the union jobs, too.
Just another example of how “conservatism” is helping create jobs and improve lives. I wonder how many of the Zoo project Mr. Larson noted are being conducted by contributors to Scooter’s coffers? Subtract more jobs from his 250,000 job creation promise.
You’re all missing the point. The state contracted for something and now it says it won’t pay. That’s breach of contract pure and simple.
If I agree to a contract pay you $X for a product and then decide I don’t want it, I can’t just say “sorry, changed my mind.” But that’s what the state of Wisconsin has done. What’s extra hilarious is that it’s the “pro-business” types who are trying to renege on their commitments.
Sure is a shame that the State and the Company cannot come to terms over this issue…So not it moves to the “My Lawyer, can Whip Your Lawyer Stage”… The real losers will be the People of the State of Wisconsin, who will ultimately have to pony up the legal fees to push this in the Courts… Ultimately, a Win-Win for “The Suits” and their firms.
Walker & Scott are the only politicos that said Amtrak & HSR and this passenger train stuff is a HUGE WASTE of $, it really, really is guys. These two said its a waste and did something about it unlike others who bark and dont bite. Im not a political person so dont u line me up with anybody. These guys have done what many were thinking. I want nothing more than a nat’l rail system that we can be proud of, at this rate of bleeding $, we will have to settle for what we have and even that is pouring $ like a siv. AAF is trying to do the alternative. The states should just slowly take over ops, NC seems to be doing good.
BB, and how does New Hampshire pay NHDOT road crew and fund NH road building? Why the taxpayers pay but highway socialism is good and Airport socialism is good but passenger rail is bad because it does not make money? Take a look at the billions of tax dollars spent on roads. Why are you not championing privatization and tolling of all those NH highways? Remember that the Highway Trust Fund (supposed to pay for roads) has had a 65% shortfall relative to taxes at the pump and various user fees for several years!
I sincerely hope Talgo prevails in it’s lawsuit against the State of Wisconsin Bad enough, an Arrogant Scott “I’ll Stop that Train Dead in it’s Tracks” Walker’s first official action killed passenger rail in the Dairy State; the Cheese heads failed to recall this shyster. Breach of Contract, Pure and simple! As for Bruce Bell of New Hampshire: ALL forms of transportation receive subsidies in one form or another, so DON"T single out passenger rail!
At this point in time, labels such as liberal or conservative are beside the point, with regard to transportation, or virtually any other issue. The point is: what is best for our country? And it takes thought, not blind idealogy, to find the answer.
Joseph, NH pays for road repairs with tolls and gas tax. States have to balance budgets. The state of Alaska once had its own Leer jet. A Governor sold it to help balance the budget. Passenger service by rail I like, have riden many miles, however, If it was going to be profitable, Investors or venture capitalists would have stepped up and got this done. Its not just a one time expense. Operations are costly , but people just talk about the train sets. If pass service was profitable or even broke even, It would be already done. Unions may be a cost factor for pass service, that Im not sure of. Its a huge long term commitment which would run in the RED for many years. States have to balance budgets. It isnt anout politics, its about incomming state revenue, which isnt a never ending supply
I am a conservative, I do NOT agree with the governor on this decision for many reasons. I know many conservatives that agree that transit is and should be part of our infrastructure. Highways alone cannot do the job
It’s too bad the political hacks in Madison are so short sighted. The high speed rail project would be the first step in a route from Chicago to the Twin Cities and beyond, but the highway lobby probably contributes more. I’m a Cheese Head, and believe we need a balanced transportation system.
I voted for Scott Walker twice and will vote for him this fall.
I agree with his cancelling the passenger rail project to Madison. For those times I go to Chicago, the interstate and Northwest toll road is quicker than a trip through Milwaukee. In addition I pick the time to go and arrive in Chicago (not when Amtrak decides to go Union Station).
More often I go to the Champaign area in about 4 hours to visit with family. How many hours will it take me to go from Madison to Champaign via Chicago. Then when I get to Champaign I would have to arrange to be picked up at the station.
For longer trips, it is much more time efficient to fly. From Madison, I have a choice of airlines competing for my business and a number of destinations. Why would I choose Amtrak which has no competitors for price and convenience, and no direct routing (such as Denver).
When Scott Walker became governor, the state faced a substantial deficit that the Democrats planned to solve by raising taxes. Since he has been in office, some of the taxes have been reduced. (Even now Wisconsin is considered a high tax state. Think what taxes would have been if Mr. Barrett were elected.)
I love how everyone is blaming Gov. Walker, and not one person is mentioning the real person who got started this mess. Former Gov. Jim Doyle rushed through a no bid contract with Talgo right before his term ended. He did so knowing he was not running for Governor, and that Walker was pledging to nix the whole thing. He attempted to force Gov. Walker into going ahead with the HSR or be caught with this mess. Gov. Walker stuck to what he was elected to do TWICE! and nixed the project. I am very interested to see the courts decision, once it gets that far.