July 10, 2012

In CNBC's new "Top States For Business" rankings, Wisconsin goes from #25 to #17.

One year later, one year greater.

Interestingly, the "greatest improvement [is] in the category of infrastructure and transportation, where the state jumped from 22nd to 6th in the country." This, under the Governor who said no to all that federal money for the high-speed rail, who, by the way, says "we are on the right track." The right track is, apparently, not a railroad track.

69 comments:

ndspinelli said...

Garage "Choo Choo" Mahal should be here soon.

Paddy O said...

California now is getting high speed rail, and our coffin gets another nail.

edutcher said...

Somebody call Suicide Prevention.

exhelodrvr1 said...

You don't want to go from town to town in the Central Valley on high speed trains?

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

You need to be more like progressive *CA and Illinois. Totally broke, fleeing businesses, high taxes, bankrupt public sector bloat, low quality/ high price education and sweet sweet gang crime. All with the promise of higher taxes to pay for it all. That's the progressive G- spot you greed heads.
*Now with high speed rail.

Scott said...

My maternal grandfather, who was Burnett County WI Highway Commissioner during the 1960s, was very proud of his roads.

Penny said...

"One year later, one year greater"...in the rankings.

There sure are a lot of those.

chickelit said...

How did Illinois fare?

Comparison please.

Penny said...

A lot of those rankings, I meant.

Just in case you were confused.

machine said...

So now the liberal media can be trusted....convenient.

Penny said...

Ann Reinking, of "All That Jazz" fame, comes to mind first, for some reason?

Penny said...

Reinking and ranking...

And pretty much all that jazz.

Penny said...

So how do the rest of you figure out exactly which ranking, or Reinking, is important?

chickelit said...

Penny said...
So how do the rest of you figure out exactly which ranking, or Reinking, is important?

Try putting things on the Rankine scale if unsure of absolutes. Of course, Kelvin had priority.

garage mahal said...

How did Illinois fare?

Or Minnesota! Or Ohio State!

Who gives a fuck?

Exactly who is your team?????

YEA???? WELL OWN IT!

Jason (the commenter) said...

High speed rail accounts for little if your pot holes aren't filled.

Paddy O said...

"You don't want to go from town to town in the Central Valley on high speed trains?"

It'll take you from Ogdenville to North Haverbrook!

Penny said...

Preference here for Reinking.

Far as I know she wasn't much into Wisconsin politics though?

But she sure knew how to dance. Not to mention... looking damned good when she was.

traditionalguy said...

Trains are totally useless as transportation for people out side of a dense urban area with automobile clogged arteries... but the do make excellent low speed rolling prisons that are easy to guard on tracks leading to the HSA's new concentration camps...I mean HSA's new resettlement camps for refugees from the riots or threats of terrorist attacks from the liberty loving forces.

Penny said...

Chickelit, hello.

I see that your mind hit the highway out of Wisconsin too.

LOVE it!

"Ranking, Reinking, Rankine"

traditionalguy said...

Wisconsin will have a fit trying to beat Ohio State's new SEC coaching makeover.

But at least the Badgers wont have to lose to TCU again, unless the Big 12 Champion has to play the Big 10 runner up.

Meanwhile Missouri plays Georgia in an SEC game and Texas A&M will also play in the SEC this year.

The Big 12 is effectively run by Texas, and Texas took in TCU to replace Texas A&M as their new Thanksgiving Day traditional rivalry game. Boy is Texas gonna be sorry.

Revenant said...

The big shock to me is that 10 states are actually worse than California. Cripes, do they actually LYNCH small business owners in Rhode Island, or what?

Penny said...

Sounds exactly like Vini, Vidi, Vici...

Except, sadly, on another train track.

Nora said...

I see that at least two other states from "most improved" (http://www.cnbc.com/id/47818871)also got Repablican governors in 2010 (http://www.examiner.com/article/new-republican-governors-rapidly-bringing-down-unemployment-their-states). Which would be expected since to bring unemployment down there should be successful business initiatives, which are impossible in business unfriendly environment.

Penny said...

So, um, chicklit?

Was that Kelvin guy a better dancer than Rankine?

chickelit said...

Penny said...
So, um, chicklit?

Was that Kelvin guy a better dancer than Rankine?



Absolutely, Penny. Kelvin took bigger strides, if you know what I mean!

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...
How did Illinois fare?

Or Minnesota! Or Ohio State!

Who gives a fuck?


Obviously, the people trying to eek out a living in these shitty blue states.

Note, you're way past the point of parody.

Brian Brown said...

Caterpillar moved their hydraulics manufacturing and their engine manufacturing to the state of Texas, from Illinois.

But, but, but Illinois cares about workers and has a vigorous public sector, how can these be?!!

Brian Brown said...

The entirety of your political & economic beliefs are refuted by the real world and all the imbecile can muster is Who gives a fuck?

Of course you don't, bozo.

The comfort of lies is all you have at this point.

Penny said...

Oh I hear what you SAY, chicky.

But wasn't it the "absolute" part of absolutely that got your man, Rankine in trouble in the first place?

TWM said...

Goes along well with the recent stats showing those states with Republican governors have had their unemployment rates drop.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Pot holes are now 1 million dollars.
A 'round a bout is 20 million.
Light rail is 100 trillion.
Stimulus for tax payers.

chickelit said...

Penny said...

But wasn't it the "absolute" part of absolutely that got your man, Rankine in trouble in the first place?

Well, Ray Bradbury would have written Fahrenheit 911* had Rankine's scale prevailed. So we can be glad we don't have to make that association.
_______________
*Moore precisely, 910.67, but I rounded up.

Brian Brown said...

Yet another in the series of articles about the jilted lovers:

A New York City donor a few cars back, who also would not give her name, said Romney needed to do a better job connecting. "I don't think the common person is getting it," she said from the passenger seat of a Range Rover stamped with East Hampton beach permits. "Nobody understands why Obama is hurting them.

"We've got the message," she added. "But my college kid, the baby sitters, the nails ladies -- everybody who's got the right to vote -- they don't understand what's going on. I just think if you're lower income -- one, you're not as educated, two, they don't understand how it works, they don't understand how the systems work, they don't understand the impact."

Among Perelman's guests at the buffet lunch, which was topped off with chocolate mint cupcakes, were the Zambrellis of New York City, independent voters who attended a fundraiser for Obama four years ago.

Sharon Zambrelli voted for Obama in 2008 but has been disappointed with his handling of the economy and leadership style. "I was very disenchanted with the political process and he gave me hope," she said, but ultimately: "He's just a politician," she said, an "emperor with no clothes."


Pity.

garage mahal said...

The entirety of your political & economic beliefs are refuted by the real world and all the imbecile can muster is Who gives a fuck?

There was nothing refuted, nothing to refute, yard ape. The only reason a ranking from CNBC [of all people] means anything is because Walker & CO. are still taking heat for the shit jobs/growth under his budget.

But it's coming. SWEAR. Right after the recalls!

Gone unnoticed: the spokesman on this press release was granted immunity in the the John Doe investigation.

That wacky wacky non thingamabob thing we NEVER talk about!

chickelit said...

@Penny: Bradbury would have written "Rankine 911" not "Fahrenheit 451" Excuse my error. I was excited by the coincidence.

Penny said...

You're "excused", chicklit.

What the heck?

lol

Just two friends doing the ol' "do si do".

Penny said...

Oh man, that brings up some BAD memories.

I haven't square danced since I took it as a gym elective in college with a broken toe.

Finished the class though!

Penny said...

Swimming, on the other hand...

Nearly did me in.

chickelit said...

Square dancing was required fare in elementary school in Wisconsin. That and limbo dancing and also a stick-clapping dance where they take you ankles off if you're not quick. I can't remember the name of the latter.

jeff said...

"The only reason a ranking from CNBC [of all people] means anything is because Walker & CO. are still taking heat for the shit jobs/growth under his budget.

But it's coming. SWEAR."

Oh, that's funny. Change the name to Obama and suddenly your a die hard supporter. Even though Obama has shit jobs/growth under his (non existent) budget. But it's coming. He swears! I love that you don't even pretend your not a hack.

Rusty said...

garage mahal said...
The entirety of your political & economic beliefs are refuted by the real world and all the imbecile can muster is Who gives a fuck?

There was nothing refuted, nothing to refute, yard ape. The only reason a ranking from CNBC [of all people] means anything is because Walker & CO. are still taking heat for the shit jobs/growth under his budget.




Seriously. Quit digging.

Seeing Red said...

SCRANTON, PA - A fiscal and political crisis in the nearly-broke northeastern Pennsylvania city of Scranton deepened Tuesday as public employee unions sought to have the mayor held in contempt of court after he defied a judge and slashed workers' pay to minimum wage.

Unions representing firefighters, police and public-works employees also filed a pair of federal lawsuits against Mayor Chris Doherty and the city that alleged violations of labor law and due-process rights.

Doherty last week ignored a court order and cut the pay of about 400 city workers to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The Democratic mayor said it was all the cash-strapped city of more than 76,000 could afford, promising to restore full pay once finances are stabilized.

"It's incredible," the unions' attorney, Thomas Jennings, said Tuesday. "I've never had a public official just say, 'I'm not going to obey a court order. I'm not even going to try. He can't tell me what to do.'"

Doherty is locked in a dispute with Scranton's city council over a financial recovery plan as it faces a $16.8 million budget deficit. The mayor didn't return a phone message from The Associated Press on Tuesday, but he told the Times-Tribune of Scranton on Monday that his administration and the council remained at stalemate over the $85 million budget.....


whoa

Penny said...

"Square dancing was required fare in elementary school in Wisconsin."

No doubt. Wisconsin's the cheese state, for cripes sake.

Penny said...

I'm talking about REAL square dancing...at the university level, where we PAY for our instruction, and on a per credit basis.

Known Unknown said...

greatest improvement [is] in the category of infrastructure and transportation, where the state jumped from 22nd to 6th in the country."

You would think this would make Garage ecstatic.

Penny said...

And I'm just teasing you now, Big Stepper.

Would you prefer if I called you "Wayaheadofme"?

Penny said...

Don't answer that, chicklit! ha ha

The government will probably tax us for having insufferable egos.

Penny said...

You and "big striders" like Kelvin can go first.

chickelit said...

Penny said...
I'm talking about REAL square dancing...at the university level, where we PAY for our instruction, and on a per credit basis.

Also, at that age there might have been a little flirtation involved which wasn't there in grade school.

I can't remember any dancing partners from grade school, but I remember the ones from high school.

Althouse should have opened a cafe, Penny. I'm out for now. See ya!

Penny said...

Me?

I'll just hang back until they get me too.

Tim said...

"Oh, that's funny. Change the name to Obama and suddenly your a die hard supporter. Even though Obama has shit jobs/growth under his (non existent) budget. But it's coming. He swears! I love that you don't even pretend your not a hack."

Without double standards, broccoli boy wouldn't have any standards at all. Hacks pity him the way high class escorts pity crack whores.

Wally Kalbacken said...

Scott said...

My maternal grandfather, who was Burnett County WI Highway Commissioner during the 1960s, was very proud of his roads.


I guess that made him the man.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

oh btw - Scott Walker is awesome.

Chuck66 said...

Wisconsin does financially support rail freight lines. A little assistance for the infrastruture that allows shippers a good alternative.

gk1 said...

Its depressing seeing which direction california is going. No hope in sight. The idjits recently voted to go ahead building the high speed rail to no where and in the same breath are threatening arrghmeggedon if voters reject their tax hike in November. And my fellow californians tell me Sarah Palin is the stupid one.

AlanKH said...

One of the problems with rail is the assumption that both Points A and B will always be ripe for business. I reckon that the rails leading to and from Detroit serve as an example.

The best transport is that which can adapt to change.

I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end railroad tracks
Every time I thought I'd got it made...

Penny said...

"The best transport is that which can adapt to change."

Over my dead body and a dollar bill.

Penny said...

A hundred pennies are more than a mere "annoyance".

But I guess you'll have to figure that out for yourself... while flipping through your greenback.

Penny said...

Your ONE greenback...

Neat and crisp as it is!

Penny said...

Ha ha

Fisherman from WAY back.

SO far back, in fact, not a single person contemplated calling me a "fisherwoman"...

Or even, fisherperson!

Penny said...

Remember this...

Allure or all lure.

Steve Koch said...

traditionalguy said...
"Wisconsin will have a fit trying to beat Ohio State's new SEC coaching makeover."

Maybe. Let's see how Urban's heart holds up.

"But at least the Badgers wont have to lose to TCU again, unless the Big 12 Champion has to play the Big 10 runner up."

Before you annoint TCU as Big 12 champs, lets see how TCU holds up playing the big boys week in, week out.

"The Big 12 is effectively run by Texas, and Texas took in TCU to replace Texas A&M as their new Thanksgiving Day traditional rivalry game. Boy is Texas gonna be sorry."

Why would Texas be sorry? Sounds like you don't know much about the aggies.

Brian Brown said...

garage mahal said...

There was nothing refuted, nothing to refute, yard ape


Er, you and your ilk said the Walker budget hurt Wisconsin's economy.

You and your ilk pretend the U/E rate hasn't dropped since Walker was elected.

But like nothing was refuted!

At all!

Idiot.

roesch/voltaire said...

The quality of the infrastructure and education were put into place long before Walker, now the question remains as money is pulled from education and highway improvement is underfunded whether or not Wisconsin can stay on track.

jacksonjay said...

"This is what democracy looks like!"

Curious George said...

"roesch/voltaire said...
The quality of the infrastructure and education were put into place long before Walker, now the question remains as money is pulled from education and highway improvement is underfunded whether or not Wisconsin can stay on track."

What a load of crap. Jim Doyle raided $1.3 Billion from the highway fund to balance his budgets. And the reduction of funds for schools were offset by Act10 provisions. The schools that suffered are those that didn't use Act10. Before all schools were effected by Doyle's use of furloughs. Lay-offs in education were coming because no way the massive tax increases required to stave them could be passed. Even Jim Doyle knew that, which is why he quit. With Walker, no furloughs, no lay-offs.

You are an idiot.

Calypso Facto said...

The quality of the infrastructure and education were put into place long before Walker, now the question remains as money is pulled from education and highway improvement is underfunded whether or not Wisconsin can stay on track.

Were you awake when Doyle stalled road repair and illegally raided the transportation fund to cover general fund obligations? And then left it to Walker to pay that money back into the fund when the courts finally got around to ruling? Walker and his administration have held several innovative transportation conferences to solicit ideas and help direct transportation improvements in the the state, since transportation is the lifeblood of Wisconsin agriculture and manufacturing. Perhaps if you took a road that led out of Madison some day, you'd be aware of these things.

ken in tx said...

The stick clapping dance is a traditional Philippine dance called Tinkling.