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Scott Walker on Technology
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Partner with private firms to install fiber network
Our program partners with local investments to install a fiber network. Once completed, a private company provides the service. Without our assistance, rural areas would be deprived of quality internet access because private companies
could not justify the rate of return on investment. Our program helps small businesses, family farmers, tourism attractions, and public schools across the state.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Wisconsin legislature
, Jan 19, 2016
Opposed high-speed rail line: $810M federal but $110M state
Not only had I refused to submit a stimulus wish list, I had also campaigned for governor on a promise to cancel a stimulus-funded program to build an expensive high-speed rail line between Madison and Milwaukee. While the Obama administration was
promising $810 million in federal funds for the project, I knew that the state would be on the hook for shortfalls, as well as the annual operating subsidies once the line was complete.
We estimated that the project was going to cost Wisconsin taxpayers $110 million. We were broke and just could not afford it.After my election, Governor Doyle canceled the project. "I could play brinksmanship with this issue and I could just plow
forward and put people out at job sites," Doyle said. "I don't think that's in anybody's best interest."
It was a major victory. We had saved Wisconsin taxpayers more than $100 million before even talking office.
Source: Unintimidated, by Scott Walker, p. 35-6
, Nov 18, 2013
Spend $810M on roads instead of high-speed rail
Q [to Barrett]: Your opponents question whether there will be much ridership on a controversial high speed rail link between Milwaukee and Madison.BARRETT: We had this type of debate when we started the Hiawatha several years ago, and what we've seen
is an increase in ridership between Chicago and Milwaukee. I think the same thing will occur with the ridership between Milwaukee and Madison.
Q [to Walker]: You've pledged to "stop this train." How?
WALKER: The bottom line is the train is something
we don't want and can't afford, $810 million in a so-called high speed train line between Milwaukee and Madison. The system will provide, by their own numbers, a mere 55 permanent jobs. To me, spending more than $14.5 million per job is not a good use
of the taxpayer's money. We can stop it by stopping the contracts. My next step would be to go to our congressional delegation to change those funds, so we can spend them to fix our crumbling roads and bridges right here in Wisconsin.
Source: 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall debate on 620-WTMJ
, Jun 1, 2012
Pulled plug on light rail; fix roads and bridges instead
Since learning about the state's agreement with the federal government we have been exploring all legal options to stop the train from moving forward, and we believe this is a step in the right direction.
We are continuing to work with members of congress on redirecting this money to fixing our crumbling roads and bridges.
Source: 2010 gubernatorial press release, "High Speed Rail"
, Nov 4, 2010
Page last updated: Mar 24, 2016