Bill Blocking State Streetcar Funding Reignites Partisan Squabble On Rail Issues

The state of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County would be barred from spending any money on a Milwaukee streetcar under a bill that cleared the state Assembly Thursday night.

The debate provided yet another glimpse at how far apart Wisconsin Republicans and Democrats stand when it comes to rail funding, an issue that has emerged several times during Gov. Scott Walker’s administration.

“Trains are the romantic fantasy of a European nation,” said Menominee Falls Republican Rep. Janel Brantjen.

Democrats, like Rep. Chris Danou of Trempeleau, were at times incredulous during debate on the measure.

“I honestly do find myself flabbergasted at times by the beliefs that I hear from the other side,” said Danou.

Milwaukee’s proposed streetcar would run for a few miles downtown and on the city’s east side, though a later expansion is possible. The project has already been awarded federal funds.

It’s a top priority for Mayor Tom Barrett who says a streetcar will spur economic development. Republicans — particularly those from Southeast Wisconsin — have ridiculed the project, as they did six years ago when the state was on the cusp of building a high-speed rail line that Walker ultimately blocked as one of his first acts in office.

That divide played out again on the Assembly floor Thursday night as Slinger Republican Rep. Bob Gannon called the streetcar a waste of money.

“I don’t ask you to fund my automobile,” Gannon said. “I don’t want you to ask me, the citizens of the 58th Assembly District, to pay for your trolley.”

Democrats said Gannon’s remarks showed a misunderstanding of transportation funding, noting that automobiles rely on publicly funded roads and bridges.

“When you get in your car, you do not pay the full price of that road,” said Danou.

The bill that passed the Assembly Thursday would not block the streetcar project. Republican Rep. Jesse Kremer of Kewaskum said it would only require that it be funded locally.

“This bill simply assures that we will not put any more strain on our existing state mass transportation system funding,” said Kremer.

But the bill would go farther than that, blocking the Milwaukee County government from funding the streetcar, too.

Milwaukee Democratic Rep. Mandela Barnes asked his colleagues to reconsider, saying he wanted the city to have all options available to fund the streetcar. Barnes said it was no different than supporting projects in other parts of the state.

“We debate a whole lot that we don’t specifically see benefit from in all of our districts,” Barnes said. “But we do it because it’s the greater good for the state of Wisconsin.”

The bill passed 59-36, with Republicans Al Ott and John Spiros joining Democrats in voting no. It now heads to the Senate, which will return to Madison for one more session day in March.