The Price Is Right!

If you only get your information from Charlie Sykes, Patrick McIlheran, Mark Belling or any of the other asocial types, then you probably believe the high speed rail that will be built will cost a bazillion, gazillion dollars to operate EVERY, SINGLE SECOND!

But the truth is a bit different:

"Operating costs are projected at $7.5 million a year, not counting the part covered by fares. But Renlund said the state is already using federal funds to cover 90% of the Hiawatha's $5.2 million annual operating cost - leaving $520,000 a year for state taxpayers to pick up - and hopes to do the same with the new line. That would mean state taxpayers would be paying $750,000 a year for the service to Madison."

So Wisconsin would get the train line construction fully-paid by stimulus funds, with an annual state tab for some operating expenses amounting to less than one-tenth of 1% of the construction cost.

And less than 8% of the size of the operating cost that GOP candidate Scott Walker has been claiming all campaign season.

Don't you hate it when wingers get hit by reality like a fast speed train?