By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
What is Scott Walker’s aversion to receiving federal money? Most politicians, with any modicum of political sense, would gladly do everything within their power to leverage federal dollars back from Washington. In political parlance, this is known as “bringing home the bacon.” But apparently, Scott Walker has a different take on this situation.
This blatant refusal to accept federal money became painstakingly clear when Walker assume office and immediately snubbed his nose at a scant $810 million that Washington had earmarked for a high-speed rail project in Wisconsin. Mr. walker won election in 2010, in large part by campaigning fiercely on limited government. One of his signature promises was a rejection of $810 million in federal stimulus dollars for high-speed rail between Milwaukee and Madison.
The governor attempted to rationalize his decision by claiming that the rail project would be too costly and “a waste of taxpayer money.” However, a Milwaukee-area business news site (Biz- Times.com) disputes this contention and has pointed out that the state’s actual costs for the $810 million project would have been as low as $750,000 per year.
Walker’s irrational reluctance to accept money from the feds would soon raise its ugly head again–this time surrounding the urgent issue of extending federal unemployment benefits. Wisconsin had been designated to receive $89 million in federally funded jobless benefits back in April. But, for whatever reason,the state was gravely remiss in making these muchneeded benefits available to the 10,000 unemployed workers in distress. After a long delay, the Republicancontrolled Legislature finally got around to passing the extension on August 1st – while Walker followed suit on August 3rd.
True enough, these benefit payments can be applied retroactively, but what about the needless hardship jobless workers have had to endure while waiting for Walker and his Republican cohorts to take action.
Just recently, Scott Walker’s health secretary, Dennis Smith, has declined to make or back applications for federal grants that could have totaled more than $9 million over the next five years. These grants would have provided critical funds for fighting drug and alcohol abuse. Milwaukee Health Commissioner, Bevan Baker, has publicly stated that “he can’t understand why Wisconsin would not go after that funding.” Milwaukee, like other parts of the state, has seen more than its share of rampant drug abuse.
Like so many in his party, Scott Walker has shown himself to be totally indifferent to the will of the people. His mantra: tax breaks for the wealthy, while reducing the size and service of state government. Scott Walker adamantly believes in limiting the scope of state government, but at what cost?
There is something intrinsically wrong with a governor who consistently refuses to accept federal resources for his state which, in turn, would be of great benefit to its residents.