Wednesday, November 10, 2010

"Because I Can", what a way to operate for a Gov.-elect

Governor-elect Scott Walker wants to stop high speed rail from coming through Wisconsin. Why you ask, because "he is the NEW Governor and he wants it". Gov.-elect Walker has already said he will meet with the feds, but he sees no scenario in which they will change his mind.

Gov.-elect Walker thinks that the $810 mil for high speed rail should go to repairing roads and bridges in Wisconsin. Now that to would be a good thing. However, the money is committed by the feds for high speed rail. In Wisconsin that money translates to approximately 400 jobs and the continued operation of a major locomotive builder (Talgo) in Milwaukee. Continued business continuing to create jobs and make money for Wisconsin. Now that is a "great thing".

So where does Wisconsin stand because of the "want" of Governor-elect Walker? Wisconsin stands to lose $810 mil, 400 jobs and a major locomotive builder to some other state because we have a Governor-elect with the attitude that "I am Boss, now do it my way". Oh sure, he says he will meet with the feds and listen to what they have to say, but in the same breath he states, "He sees no scenario in which the feds will change his mind". That preconceived attitude makes it a pointless meeting.

So what will happen to Wisconsin? In the end Governor-elect Walker will be able to say, "I stood my ground and showed them that I am in charge" while the feds take back $810 mil from Wisconsin coffers and gives it some other state, 400 good jobs vanish and then in a matter of months, if not weeks a major locomotive builder will bid good riddance to Wisconsin and it will move to another state and give them jobs and boost that state's economy.

Now that you have challenged the feds Governor-elect Walker, Wisconsinites would very much like for you to return to your promise of creating Wisconsin jobs and rebuilding our economy. Maybe you could start with a quiet phone call to U.S. DOT Secretary Ray La Hood and say, oops, I did not mean everything I said, please return the more than three-quarter billion so I can put it to use to create jobs as it was originally intended for...

Posted by Steven Williams
PEL Coordinator
AFSCME Council 24

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