[June 19, 2010] Lawmakers differ over proposed rail line Tweet Jun 19, 2010 (The Leader-Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Democratic state legislators representing the Chippewa Valley say plans to operate a high-speed rail route in this part of Wisconsin are right on track, but one Republican legislator doesn't back the idea. Discussion of the topic divided legislators attending Friday's "Eggs and Issues" presentation sponsored by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce. State Sens. Pat Kreitlow, D-Chippewa Falls, and Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, along with Rep. Kristen Dexter, D-Eau Claire, said they will continue to fight for a rail system that runs through Eau Claire if and when the system is built. But a fourth panel member, Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, said he can't see government-subsidized "choo-choo trains" during such challenging financial times. "If a high-speed rail system is built through the Midwest, that line damn well better come through the Chippewa Valley rather than lollygag up the Mississippi River," Kreitlow said. "Because if you're going to have service direct from Chicago to the Twin Cities, you want to get as much of the Wisconsin population as possible." In response to Suder's concerns, Kreitlow discussed how other forms of transportation, including airlines and road maintenance, also are subsidized by government money. Besides high-speed rail, panel members discussed such topics as sustainable energy, budget concerns and legislative productivity. One item on which panel members agreed was the need for a comprehensive clean energy strategy. Dexter said that although she considers the local area a leader in renewable energy, steps can be taken to promote sustainability. "We can make sure that we continue to keep a strong energy grid," Dexter said, "that we are training our workers to make sure that the infrastructure is ready so that when new technologies are developed that we have the infrastructure to get the energy to areas where it is needed." Kreitlow said while not all bills related to cleaner energy were passed in the last legislative session, it doesn't mean that the system is broken or isn't working. Those setbacks, he said, are just the beginning of forming a larger comprehensive plan. "I think Wisconsin is poised," Suder said, "as long as we continue the process to be a leader in (sustainable energy) for years to come." Hanson can be reached at 715-830-5832, 800-236-7077 or [email protected]. To see more of The Leader-Telegram or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.leadertelegram.com. Copyright (c) 2010, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]