TDA: On The Go Podcast

Scott Rogers, the vice president of governmental affairs at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast to talk about passenger rail.

Scott and Debby discuss the economic benefits of passenger rail for the region and the recently announced federal grants to study passenger rail in the state. Jackson also takes the opportunity to get tips for long-distance train trips from Rogers, a longtime train traveler.

Notes:

Business Coalition for Passenger Rail - List and sign on form

Email: [email protected]

Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce - 2024 Business Issues Agenda

30th Annual Chippewa Valley Rally

Economic Impact of Missouri's River Runner service (MoDOT)

Creating the new Normal: How trains transformed one Midwestern town (HSR Alliance)

WisDOT - Wisconsin Passenger Rail

FRA Corridor Identification and Development Program

Rail Passengers Association

West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition

Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission

Amtrak Guest Rewards

Amtrak's Empire Builder - Facebook Group

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson, serving as the 2024 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) president, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the On The Go podcast.

Thompson talks about the department's work and accomplishments during his five years at WisDOT and the plans and priorities for the year ahead. They also discuss his priorities for AASHTO and what he has learned about the transportation challenges states face - the similarities and differences - by working with his colleagues in other states.

Safety is an integral part of Thompson's objectives. Jackson and Thompson also touch on transportation funding, including states' progress on a longer-term solution for shoring up lost gas tax productivity.

It's episode #50 of TDA's On The Go podcast! The microphone is turned in this special episode as Dan Deibert of Edge Messaging interviews TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson.

Debby looks back to the first On The Go episode recorded in February 2019. She shares the original inspiration behind the podcast, recollects some of her favorite moments, and looks to future topics.

On The Go continues to share incredible transportation stories across the state, thanks to supporters like you.

Patrick Vander Sanden, who assumed the role of executive director of the Wisconsin County Highway Association (WCHA) earlier this year, joins TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast. Patrick explains the plans and priorities for his organization and shares some of what has surprised him since he assumed his new role. He also emphasizes that he looks to collaborate with other stakeholders to further transportation in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin's airports are integral to the state's economy and generate significant economic impact for the communities where they are located and the regions they serve. Two Wisconsin aviation experts join TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson on the latest On The Go podcast to talk about Wisconsin aviation, the Wisconsin Airport Management Association (WAMA), and the upcoming Wisconsin Aviation Conference.

Listen in as Rachel Engeler, assistant airport director at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport and President of WAMA, and Jim Schell, director at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and Vice President of WAMA, share their aviation insights and knowledge.

The recently signed 2023-25 state transportation budget includes some significant investments throughout the system. In this episode of the On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson talks with Steve Baas, executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, about what's in the 2023-25 transportation budget and what's next.

Last month, TDA held its Drive-in at the State Capitol in Madison. Approximately 75 TDA members, including representatives of business, industry, local government, transportation advocates and trade unions attended a morning seminar and then groups visited the Capitol to share legislative priorities with lawmakers and staff.

In this episode of the podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with a few of the attendees who share their thoughts on the importance of the Drive-In, and the state of transportation infrastructure in Wisconsin, overall.

Agriculture is big dollars and a key driver of Wisconsin's economy. It's no secret that the condition of the state's roads, bridges and culverts, and posted weight restrictions, impact whether the industry can safely and efficiently transport agricultural products to market. In this episode of the On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson talks with Jason Mugnaini, executive director of governmental relations at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, to discuss agriculture, transportation, and a legislative proposal to create an agricultural road improvement program at WisDOT.

At the 2023 TDA Fly-in to Washington, DC, there was much focus on the discretionary grants in the federal infrastructure law and the need to bring a fair share of those dollars home to Wisconsin. In the latest On The Go podcast, TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson speaks with Rob Krejci, the highway commissioner for St. Croix County, about these funding opportunities from a county's perspective.

Rob shares how a trio of Wisconsin counties — St. Croix, Dunn, and Eau Claire — partnered and successfully worked with the USDOT to obtain a $500,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) action plan grant. This plan will unlock future implementation grant opportunities. Rob hopes other counties and municipalities will benefit from what they learned during the application process.

Governor Tony Evers has submitted his 2023-25 State Budget. What's in it? Why does it matter, and what's next? TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson sits down with political communications consultant Brian Fraley, the President of Edge Messaging, to discuss items of interest to those concerned about Wisconsin's transportation infrastructure. They also explain how individuals can make an impact on the budget process.