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Wisconsin Rep. Brett Davis has proposed legislation that would prohibit the state government from spending any state, federal or local dollars for costs related to the Milwaukee-to-Madison high-speed rail project. In January, the Obama Administration announced it would award an $823 million grant to Wisconsin to make improvements along the route to enable high-speed operations.

If the legislation passes, it would require the full legislature to pass a separate bill that specifically authorizes the Milwaukee-Madison line.

A Republican running for lieutenant governor, Davis also has launched a Web site, www.stopthetrainwisconsin.org, which outlines why he believes the high-speed system doesn’t make sense for Wisconsin.

Among his points:

• The high-speed train will be more like a “car-speed train,” with initial speeds operating up to 79 mph.

• The train is expected to make multiple stops and cross many roads, and has “poor” station locations.

• Ridership totals are “expected to be extremely low.”

• The continuing cost of the train will delay vital road and highway projects.