Road Builders Go Into Panic Mode

What a load of crap. 

In a press release today, TDA executive director Craig Thompson praised legislative leaders for rejecting the Doyle proposal, but said Busalacchi’s letter shows the Doyle administration is not willing to give up the proposal.

“What the secretary is talking about is redirecting hundreds of millions of dollars from road projects resulting in the loss of thousands of Wisconsin jobs,” Thompson said.

Really?  “THOUSANDS” of jobs?  I’d like to see the documentation behind that hyperbolic claim. 

I don’t support raiding the transportation fund either, but let’s try to retain some grip on reality. 

1. Did we hear this level of hysteria when Gov. Doyle transferred the $427,000 out of the transportation fund?

   Posted by hsgbdmama on April 26, 2008 at 0746 hrs




2. And don’t forget to question the Wisconsin part, either.

   Whenever a highway worker gets hit down here in Missouri, it turns out it was a contract employee from Minnesota or somewhere else.

   Posted by Brian J. on April 27, 2008 at 1310 hrs




3. I would like to know when our state/city/county government is going to start fixing all the potholes and cracks in our roads.  Enough about using this money for other things!!!  I’ve been driving in Madison and if I didn’t know better they are letting their roads rot.  Big holes all over the place, big enough to swallow you up and never spit you out.

   Posted by on April 28, 2008 at 1302 hrs




4. Actually, I think its likely there are high 3 digits, if not 4 digits of road workers in Wisconsin.  Its a big state.  Not to mention, like any worker, when they get laid off it means their families will buy less products, not travel, etc....spend less money.  Since I don’t have a study to prove it, I’ll admit it up front but I think these folks tend to spend their money more at home on Wisconsin trips and products from everything from Harley motorcycles to snowmobiles and ATVs that literally drive the economy in certain areas in Northern Wisconsin.  They buy boats to drive on our lakes and Janesville made SUVs too.

   I have to problem with making sure we’re not paying $800 for an ashtray, but it amazes me how conservatives get all wigged out about road construction costs in this state.  Apparently you missed the part in the late 80s and 90s when we were building Wisconsin - mile by mile.  Our transportation infrastructure is one of the few advantages we have to offer businesses here. 

   These are not make-work projects, they are often extremely important for safety reasons and the economic impact of them is undeniable. 

   People seem hellbent to think something is amiss because Roadbuilders spend a lot of money on elections and lobbying.  Maybe if more people in the state understood, like other states do, that a transportation infrastructure and network is critical to business....well, then they wouldn’t have to.

   Posted by on April 28, 2008 at 1940 hrs