Governor Doyle, County Executive Walker, Some Explanation is Needed

On Wednesday Governor Jim Doyle announced plans to spend the first $300 million out of $550 million stimulus funds on 63 road construction and repair projects in 30 counties. Just under half of counties in Wisconsin made this first round but a glaring omission has to be Milwaukee County. Although freeway expansion and construction are often in conflict with urban goals, Milwaukee County clearly has a multitude of existing state highways that are in desperate need of repair and Milwaukee County has thousands of people in need of work immediately.

So the question is, why isn’t Milwaukee County on the initial list?

I know it’s early and I’m sure money will eventually flow to fix the state highways that run through Milwaukee County, but to be left out of the initial programs while Sawyer County with a population of about 16,000 will get $3.2 million in funding indicates our priorities are wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that there is an additional $250 million to be allocated and clearly Milwaukee County will get its share but the question remains why isn’t Milwaukee County on the initial list, as it is likely the county with the most immediate needs.

Is it possible this delay is because Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker is sticking to his ideology and refusing to request money for state highway projects in Milwaukee County? Or is the delay connected to the long running friction between Madison and Milwaukee? Hopefully these questions will answered and Milwaukee County will soon get its fair share, so that Milwaukee can rebuild and put its citizens back to work.