Peter Theron Candidate for 2nd Congressional District Cell: (608) 257-9347 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: August 16th, 2010 |
Theron Will Help Stop the Train!
(Madison) -- Peter Theron, Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, is prepared to back the campaign pledges of Scott Walker and Mark Neumann to stop the $810 million Madison-Milwaukee train. Theron’s legislative proposal will save Wisconsin taxpayers from having to pay more for this poorly conceived project.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray La Hood has committed federal dollars that he says Wisconsin would have to return if the train is not built. Theron’s proposal would change federal law to drop the continuing-effort condition on federal transportation funding. Canceling the train project would then require no payback of spent funds. Unspent funds would go towards paying down the federal debt.
“Wisconsin taxpayers should not have to pay for the mistakes of Governor James Doyle,” says Peter Theron. “Everyone uses the interstate highway system, but the train will only be used by an elite few.
The current rail line costs Wisconsin taxpayers $6.5 million, a figure that does not include any federal subsidies that support the train’s operation. Theron has already proposed that funding of commuter and high-speed rail should only be provided as loans, rather than grants, to eliminate the illusion that “federal money is somehow free”
Theron attempted to demonstrate the effects of passenger rail on Madison traffic with CIRCUS (Citizen-Initiated Rail-Corridor Use Study), but was denied a permit by Madison’s Street Use Staff Committee.
“This fall when voters elect a Republican governor, it will be a referendum to stop the train.” Theron adds. “I want voters to know that when they vote for a Republican for governor in November, that I will work with that Republican to make it easier to stop this poorly conceived project.”
Voters can learn more about Peter Theron by visiting theronforcongress.com or by emailing him at peter@theronforcongress.com
