December 12, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
State Representative Kim Hixson/608-266-9650
REP. HIXSON CALLS FOR SUPPORT OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROPOSAL
Wisconsin citizens need assistance from the Federal Government in these tough economic times
WHITEWATER – Representative Kim Hixson (D-43rd Assembly District) pledged Friday to work with other state and local officials to push for a federal economic stimulus package for Wisconsin requested by Governor Jim Doyle in Washington, D.C. this week.
The package includes a number of projects throughout the state and in the south-central Wisconsin that will create jobs and build infrastructure.
“These are tough economic times – people are working harder for less money,” Hixson said. “As your State Representative, I’m committed to finding ways to cut state spending. But cuts alone won’t help the guy in my district looking for work, or the family struggling to put food on the table right now. Our area needs the assistance that would be provided in the Governor’s federal stimulus package for states.”
Hixson said it is essential the Federal Government invest critical resources into our state’s crumbling transportation and educational infrastructure. “Wisconsin must find a way to create new jobs and put money back in the pockets of working families,” Hixson said.
Governor Doyle’s testimony before the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Chaired by Rep. David Obey (D-Wausau) suggested that up to $1.64 billion of federal assistance could be used to make infrastructure improvements, including road work, maintenance on school buildings, and environmental projects. These projects could be started immediately.
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS:
$2,958,150 – STH-11 Footville – Janesville bypass – pavement replace and overlay
$365,650 – I-39 Madison to Janesville Road – bridge painting
$365,100 – I-39 Madison to Janesville Road – bridge painting
$391,400 – I-39 Madison to Janesville Rd- bridge painting
$2,857,037 – STH-59 Whitewater – Palmyra Road – pulverize and overlay
Railroad Rehabilitation:
$27,300,000 – Waukesha to Milton
$11,050,000 – Janesville to Beloit
$22,880,000 – Janesville to Monroe
UW-Whitewater:
$246,500 – East Campus Steam – Condition Replacement $475,600 – Residence Hall Steam District Renovation $1,546,000 – Campus Substation – Switchgear Transit Replacement
$189,700 – Roseman Hall – Window Replacement $286,000 – Multi-Building Internal Door Replacement – 15 campus buildings
“As your State Representative, I will work closely with the Governor and all levels of government to ensure that we effectively use this federal money to rebuild our state’s crumbling infrastructure. This is essential economic development in our area,” Hixson said. “I’m going to be in touch with local leaders throughout this process to ensure that if such appropriations are made, the money will be put to use immediately. We’ve got to make sure projects will be ready to go.”
While Doyle’s requests must be approved by Congress, President-elect Barack Obama has expressed support for the swift passage of a federal aid package for the states after his inauguration on January 20, 2009. According to officials in the Governor’s office the list of projects included may be subject to change.
Rep. Kim Hixson represents the 43rd Assembly District, which includes parts of Rock, Walworth, Jefferson and Dane Counties. If you have any questions about this issue or any other matter facing Wisconsin State Government, please feel to address your concerns to him at P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53702, call his office at the State Capitol at 1-888-534-0043, or email him at: