Written by Larry Bivins
WASHINGTON — Since taking their seats in Congress, Rep. Sean Duffy and Sen. Ron Johnson have distinguished themselves as guardians of taxpayer dollars, railing almost nonstop against excessive government spending.
But the hawkishness of the Republican freshmen on fiscal matters has not stopped them from backing controversial legislation to clear the way for construction of a $700 million bridge across the St. Croix River that critics condemn as a waste of money.
The House of Representatives is expected to begin debate today on the bill sponsored by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. A vote could come as early as Thursday.
Bachmann's bill would override the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to clear the way for construction of a new bridge to replace the historic, but decrepit, Stillwater Lift Bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin across the St. Croix River.
A bipartisan Senate version authored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and co-sponsored by Johnson, R-Wis., passed by unanimous consent on Jan. 23. The measure also has the support of Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton in Minnesota and Republican Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin.
Critics led by Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., who represents the redrawn congressional district where the bridge would be located, have waged strenuous opposition. They have likened the proposed bridge to one in Alaska that was dubbed the "Bridge to Nowhere" and became symbolic of wasteful projects inserted into spending bills by members of Congress to benefit their districts in a now banned process known as earmarks.
In a letter Tuesday, McCollum urged House members to reject the bipartisan bill because it "represents bad fiscal policy, bad transportation policy and bad environmental policy."
McCollum agreed the outdated lift bridge needs to be replaced, but she said there is a less costly, more practical alternative.
Supporters say the new bridge is needed to relieve traffic congestion. They contend the original estimated cost in 1992 was $80 million, but the pricetag has grown due to delays and lawsuits.
Supporters also say Minnesota and Wisconsin have set aside funding for the project and no additional federal dollars will be required.
Still, Taxpayers for Common Sense, a fiscal watchdog group in Washington, objects to the size and scope of the proposed bridge. The group pointed out the new bridge would accommodate a daily average of 18,000 cars, while the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis cost $234 million to rebuild after it collapsed and serves 140,000 cars a day.
Brandon Moody, a spokesman for Duffy, R-Weston, said critics are using disingenuous arguments to block the construction of a bridge they don't want to see built.
"Opponents of the bridge are offering a false choice," Moody said. "They're giving us an alternative they know doesn't exist."
Moody said Bachmann's legislation, which also has the support of Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, calls for no additional federal spending. It merely removes the federal government as a hurdle, he said.
Johnson agreed.
"The new bridge will be financed largely by the state governments who are taking the lead on this initiative," Johnson said. "The only question at this point is whether the federal government will continue to prevent the states from acting to address this longstanding problem. I believe Washington should get out of the way."
Kind said the project would not only address critical transportation needs but also preserve the scenic and recreational value of the area.
"The current 80 year-old bridge is functionally deficient, poses a hazard to public safety, and limits the ability of the region to grow and prosper," Kind said.
Duffy, Johnson support controversial bridge measure (Appleton Post Crescent)
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