Walker’s Campaign Gamble to Give up Rail Money will Now Cost the state $150 million to Upgrade Hiawatha line to Chicago.

Short sighted, along with a big told-you-so, Gov. Walker’s lack of vision and common sense just cost taxpayers $150 million, if the needed upgrades are made between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Walker’s campaign fired up the base and won him the governorship in major part due to the anger created around high speed rail. The deal not only promised faster trains, but included upgraded tracks and other costly add-ons negotiated by former Gov. Doyle.  

jsonline: Wisconsin was shut out Monday in its bid for $150 million in federal money to upgrade the Milwaukee-to-Chicago Hiawatha line. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 22 projects in 15 states would share $2 billion in federal high-speed rail money … Wisconsin was seeking some of that money for train sets, locomotives and a maintenance base for the Hiawatha line. 

Officials at the state and federal transportation departments confirmed that no money would be awarded to Wisconsin.  

In a telephone news conference, LaHood repeatedly used the word "reliable" in characterizing the leadership of the states that were selected for the latest round of grants. "The announcements we're making today are with the strongest partners in America," LaHood told reporters. "These are reliable people. These are people (who) have as one of their highest priorities the development of high-speed rail." 

Walker is a Republican. LaHood is a former GOP congressman.

Here's Chris Matthews with Ray LaHood, who recognized the REAL players: