Walker backs Interstate expansion; touts state's business opportunities
Podcast Episode
WCLO's Stan Stricker reports on Governor Scott Walker's discussion with leaders of Rock County 5.0
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Forward Janesville President John Beckord holds up a brochure on Interstate 90/39 while discussing the highway’s problems and the effects on the local economy with Gov. Scott Walker, left. Walker was in Beloit to meet with local economic development group Rock County 5.0.
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Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker holds up a bumper sticker reading 'Wisconsin: Open for Business,' while talking to the leaders of Rock County 5.0, a public/private economic development initiative, in Beloit on Tuesday. After the meeting, Walker toured the state to see sites where the slogan appears on signs near the state’s border.
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BELOIT — As a candidate for Wisconsin governor, Scott Walker supported the expansion of Interstate 90/39.
As governor, he still does.
“Absolutely it’s a priority, not only for Rock County but for the rest of the state,” Walker said Tuesday after a meeting with the leadership of Rock County 5.0, a five-year public/private economic development initiative designed to reposition and revitalize the county’s economy.
In October, the state Transportation Projects Commission approved four statewide projects, including the $1 billion plan to expand a 45-mile stretch of Interstate from four lanes to six between the state line and the Beltline in Madison.
At the time, Democrats controlled the state Senate, Assembly and governor’s office.
Now, it’s Walker and the Republicans in control, and the trick will be finding the money for the project. Half of the cost is expected to come from state borrowing. The remainder would be split between the state’s transportation fund and the federal government.
“The kicker for us is that we’re still working on the budget, and the question is how we get that plugged in,” Walker said. “They left us a pretty tremendous hole in the transportation budget.
“In terms of priorities, we’re trying to get going on that and some of the other TPC-identified projects.”
The hole Walker referred to is a transportation department budget recommendation for more than $300 million in cuts over the two-year period. That’s on top of the department’s current budget, which is heading to a June expiration with a shortfall of nearly $91 million.
Declining revenue from the state’s gas tax and a significant drop in vehicle registrations are fueling the deficit and projected cuts.
Fresh off a week of promoting Wisconsin as an alternative to Illinois, Walker started Tuesday with the 5.0 group, which has raised more $1.2 million since its formation in late 2009.
From there, the governor went to an Interstate rest stop near Beloit to unveil a “Wisconsin: Open for Business” road sign, a media opportunity he repeated later in the day at border crossings in Dickeyville, Hudson and Superior.
While Walker was traveling the state’s southern, western and northern perimeters Tuesday, the Legislature’s budget committee passed key pieces of his tax-cutting agenda.
The committee approved one bill that would eliminate the state tax on Health Savings Accounts. It also approved eliminating corporate and franchise taxes for companies that relocate to Wisconsin.
In Beloit, his meeting with Rock County 5.0 leaders at ABC Supply was a case of preaching to the choir: Walker to the group and the group to Walker.
The governor, whose father was a minister, acknowledged as much.
“My dad was often asked why he preached to the choir, and he said it was because he wanted the choir to sing,” Walker said. “I, too, want more singing in the choir.”
Groups such as Rock County 5.0, he said, are the best economic development tools in Wisconsin.
Walker said he can put up all the border signs he wants, but they won’t make a difference unless the state’s business culture becomes more welcoming.
That culture includes a number of regulatory, tax and cost issues that too often have kept businesses from expanding in or moving to Wisconsin, he said.
“The bottom line is how much does it cost to do business here,” he said. “We’re doing the marketing today, but beyond that we’ve got to be able to deliver.”
Rock County 5.0 co-chairwoman Mary Willmer-Sheedy told Walker’s his pro-business agenda mirrors that of her group.
“You’ve made our job a whole lot easier,” she said. “After the auto industry left Rock County, we went through a difficult time. We decided that we could either wait for help to arrive or we could take control.
“We’ve done that and united into one voice for Rock County.”
While it had the governor’s ear, the group pushed for the Interstate expansion, asked for changes in how state tax credits can be used as economic development tools and reiterated its support for Walker’s plan to replace the Department of Commerce with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., a tightly-focused agency that promotes rather than regulates business activity.
The group indicated that it would continue to work with the state to either lure General Motors back to its vacant Janesville plant or find alternative uses it for it.
The group also advocated changes in tax incremental financing law and an extension of the state’s designation of Beloit as a Development Opportunity Zone. Beloit was certified as such in 2001, and City Manager Larry Arft said the designation led to $160 million in private investment and 800 jobs in the city’s Gateway Business Park.
Mar 29, 2011 at 12:13 p.m.
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Bumper sticker - Quality of life and the environment are overrated, help us destroy WI.
Soon to come- Creationism-Our charter schools 1st priority.
Jan 20, 2011 at 4:11 p.m.
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GO WALKER...lets get er done
Jan 20, 2011 at 1:35 p.m.
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ithappens: when I did my comment, yours hadn't appeared at the time.
Jan 20, 2011 at 12:22 p.m.
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"The governor's bumper sticker should say " Wisconsin:we support corporate welfare"
Minan, just imagine how much more financially resourceful many people would be today had the U.S, not been involved in unnecessary wars, welfare programs, social problem curing, free fed entitlements, free healthcare, and countless of other wasteful government practices.
It is true that government creates jobs, their own. Only to run the inefficient, slow, paper work ridden, many layered, bloated benefit , union infested, no value additive, spend happy, and no accountability mammoth government.
Jan 20, 2011 at 12:16 p.m.
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We need to give Walker time before we determine his worth. I will say, at this point, I am skeptical. His big "We're Open for Business" push is interesting because despite the fact that Wisconsin has lowered it's corporate tax rate, it still isn't as low as Illinois' is.
Jan 20, 2011 at 12:13 p.m.
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Wisconsin's 3rd largest industry is tourism so expanding the highway so folks from Illinois can get here easier and spend some money is a great idea! It also makes no sense to add tolls to this highway and take that money out of the private sector in the tourism industry .Now this expansion has been needed for awhile and the money was used on other things by the previous administration's . If Walker can lower corporate taxes and attract more business thus increasing the tax base and pay for this without putting us too deep in red-ink , then get it done !
Jan 20, 2011 at 11:56 a.m.
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to bad there arent millions of pot smokers out there who want to give the govt tax money.
Jan 20, 2011 at 11:50 a.m.
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How about defunding some government agencies, and cut 1/4 of their budgets to start. I do drive the interstate to get to work and to travel and it is getting congested. Open tolls would work to fund the project which, I think Ill. does with theirs along with higher gas taxes.
Jan 20, 2011 at 10:28 a.m.
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usaret; isn't that what I just did? But we need even more input. I don't have the answers just an idea. Can anyone build on it?
Jan 20, 2011 at 10:10 a.m.
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If you all have such wonderful idea's on how to impove Wisconsin's economy why don't you list them, how they would work and the cost. Come on come up with ideas instead of slams. That can't be too hard to do now can it? If we keep this current mentality of us vs them then we may as well crawl back under the covers or pull the dirt over our heads. Come on folks, lets see something positive instead of taking the easy road of insulting and using snide remarks. What has it accomplished in the past? Wisconsin is suppose to be a great place to live and work but you wouldn't know it by the comments. Times are tough but why make them tougher by all the negativity. If I seem optimistic, it is because I believe we as a city, a county, a state, can rise above these petty and hurtfull actions and get back on the road to prosperity sooner then later.
Jan 20, 2011 at 9:34 a.m.
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Just a thought. Why is that the average person wants to add tax to businesses and the rich but when they get rich they don't think they should have to pay taxes? The flat tax would tax everyone equally, even the 30-40 percent of us that don't pay any tax at all.( I get all mine back though deductions and such}
Jan 20, 2011 at 9:28 a.m.
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It's simple. Tell GM that if they come back to wisconsin they will not have to pay taxes for the next 10 years. That will put 2000 to 4000 people back to work and paying taxes. The people will drive more and spend more thus building state revenue. Now you can expand the interstate. I am not sure, but I think that if we make the interstate a toll road we will lose federal money that we already get for it. States that have toll roads do not get federal money for up keep.
Jan 20, 2011 at 8:55 a.m.
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"half the money will come from state borrowing"
REALLY???
That is what the 40 plus cent a gallon gas/diesel tax and license money that we all pay is for!!!.......BUT since that was stolen by politicians........
Plus there are the taxes on tires, parts, and other things that are SUPPOSED to be used for that too..
State borrowing??...Really???
But, only lowly citizens get put in jail for theft which occurred LONG before Walker was even running.
Jan 20, 2011 at 8:17 a.m.
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MooShoo - What are you 5 years old?
Jan 20, 2011 at 6:21 a.m.
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I have to say that he just might get some federal funds for this project. President Obama is coming to WI right after the state of the union--not by accident but because business is in bad shape here. I think he will have to offer us something--I will be waiting to hear his speech. I am not a fan of Walker but if he can come up with the money for this--it creates jobs and improves our infrastructure.
Jan 20, 2011 at 6:03 a.m.
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Walker is already creating jobs --> You don't think he put up the "Open For Business" SIGNS on our states borders by himself did you.
Jan 19, 2011 at 8:25 p.m.
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I have a suggestion Governor Stupid. Make it a toll road and let those who use it and the flatlanders pay for it.
Jan 19, 2011 at 6:19 p.m.
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Those bumper stickers should turn the economy around in no time.
Jan 19, 2011 at 4:19 p.m.
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I just love reading the negative comments on here. Walker's been in office for a couple of weeks and according wo whatoing a bad job or so the lefties would like us to believe. I guess the last guy was doing such a wonderful job before he left, wasn't he? If you read the article Walker said he would like to do the I-90/39 project but needs to figure out how to pay for it. I took his idea of how to pay for it as speculation but would require hard ironing out before it moves forward. At least give them a chance just like the democrats demanded when the Oh Holy One took office over two years ago! Are democrats able to give the new Govenor time as they demanded for Obama? Doubtful but we will see!
Jan 19, 2011 at 3:12 p.m.
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Seriously Janesvillean? You don't consider at what level a transportation system is utilized an important consideration when investing taxpayer dollars? The train would have been a financial black hole for Wisconsin taxpayers to the tune of $5 million a year, every year for decades to come. Like I said, make that corridor a toll road. With the number of cars and trucks that travel on it daily, the improvements could be paid in full without borrowing from anyone. As far as the train is concerned, it was a terrible idea from the beginning. Walker dumping that plan was one of the first of hopefully many good decisions he will make.........
Jan 19, 2011 at 3:10 p.m.
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janesvillean - why is "would be used more" one of the criteria that must be passed?
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Oh...I don't know. Because it makes sense to invest in things more worth while that are crucial to everyday use. What did I make up? I asked a simple question and you have to respond like a typical baby and turn this into a "you guys vs us guys" battle again. That's what's getting old and obnoxious.
Jan 19, 2011 at 2:57 p.m.
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spark, why is "would be used more" one of the criteria that must be passed? That's the problem, you guys just make things like that up as you go along. It's really obnoxious.
Jan 19, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.
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PanamaRed - Do you really believe a passenger train would be used more than one of the most important and crucial highway systems? One that is travelled by millions. One that is used to ship goods and cargo daily by an alarming number of businesses and transportation companies? While some of these roads may serve their purpose, many aspects of them need to be updated badly to keep up. The concept of updating highways was put into place before Walker took office and it should have happened long ago if our past administration didn't rob from the fund that was in place.
Jan 19, 2011 at 1:19 p.m.
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"Conservative Republican Scott Walker rode his promise to both cut taxes and government spending in a win Tuesday over Democrat Tom Barrett to become Wisconsin's first Republican governor in eight years." 11/03/2010
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"Now, it’s Walker and the Republicans in control, and the trick will be finding the money for the project. Half of the cost is expected to come from state borrowing. The remainder would be split between the state’s transportation fund and the federal government." 01/19/2011
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Wow, that promise didn't last long. So instead of keeping Federal funds already set aside for a rail system and keeping existing jobs building rail cars and creating more jobs building the infrastructure with said funding already in place our "leader" (I use that term loosely) opts to spend Federal funds which have not already been set aside to add to a road which already serves its intended purpose. And who kept insisting our roads were not subsidized by taxpayers? Near as I can tell, "state borrowing" and "federal funds" are codewords for tax funds.
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Where is the tea party angst over this proposed spending? Why are they suddenly so silent?
Jan 19, 2011 at 1:10 p.m.
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Marketing. New ideas. Researching other avenues and options. Getting others involved. Priorities. I like what I see.
Jan 19, 2011 at 12:48 p.m.
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How much money was spent on his little field trip around the state to put up his bumper sticker signs? What a crock and waste of my tax dollars!!!
Jan 19, 2011 at 12:04 p.m.
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One way to help pay for it is for the gov't to stop robbing the transportation fund to balance the general budget and quit using money ment for the hi-ways to build bike trails!
Jan 19, 2011 at 10:53 a.m.
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I don't understand why toll booths aren't set up on the roads that need expansion? I grew up in Illinois and they were just a fact of life. I'll admit, in the days before I-pass they were a huge inconvenience(especially when you got caught behind the Wisconsin drivers who made a complete stop when they didn't have their change ready) Now, with the advent of things like i-pass and the corresponding open road tolling there really are no issues......This way those that use those sections of roads are paying for their maintenance.......
Jan 19, 2011 at 10:24 a.m.
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" Half of the cost is expected to come from state borrowing. "
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TERRIBLE idea!
Jan 19, 2011 at 9:57 a.m.
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Yup, run on a platform of lowering taxes and guess what? He'll have to raise taxes to fund the I90/I39 project.
Jan 19, 2011 at 9:55 a.m.
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Some bumper stickers and a little wood sign that says "we're open for business". Good grief!
Jan 19, 2011 at 8:34 a.m.
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oppertunities? Very fitting.
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