Frederica Freyberg:

Now to federal dollars, and President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan, a plan he touted this week in La Crosse. “Here & Now” reporter Will Kennelly was there.

Tony Evers:

We’re here to welcome President Biden back to the great state of Wisconsin.

Will Kennelly:

President Joe Biden visited La Crosse Tuesday to pitch his plan for strengthening the country’s infrastructure.

Joe Biden:

In November, 2019 a school bus in Arcadia, Wisconsin tipped over going around a curve. It went into a ditch with 20 students on board. Wasn’t because of snow or ice. It was just an old country road. It was rough conditions. Thank God nobody was seriously injured at the time. But this is a drain on our economy as well.

Will Kennelly:

On top of roads, Biden cited broadband as an example of ways in investing in infrastructure could strengthen the economy.

Joe Biden:

No farmer here in Wisconsin should lose business because they don’t have reliable connection to the internet, know when to buy, know when to sell and know what’s going on. You know, back in 1936, the federal government brought electricity to every home and farm in America and it set the stage for a massive, sustained economic boon that would follow World War II. High-speed internet is the equivalent of that today.

Will Kennelly:

The $1.2 trillion plan still faces hurdles in Congress. Republicans balked at the bill after Democrats attempted to add their own partisan priorities to the previously bipartisan bill. Some moderate Republicans said they were assured by Biden that he would not tie up the bill over those Democratic priorities. Those outreach efforts were well received by Wisconsinites.

Sue Greening:

I think President Biden is really — he’s taking some heat now from his own constituents because he’s willing to work with the Republicans. And I think on the infrastructure and I think in the long run that will pay off for him.

Ardelle Tuxen:

I think he’s doing a wonderful job of managing everything, even with all of the obstruction. I think he really understands families and communities and the importance of them.

Will Kennelly:

Republicans fired back, however, accusing Biden of being out of touch with what Wisconsinites need.

Jordan Moskowitz:

Everybody wants infrastructure, but we want it targeted. We don’t want these far left policies mixed into the infrastructure bill. Hopefully he comes and realizes that’s what Wisconsin wants, that’s what middle rural America needs. Hopefully he takes that back to D.C. with him.

Will Kennelly:

Under the current plan, Wisconsin would be the beneficiary of various improvements, including upgrades to roughly 1,000 bridges in the state. Also in the investments, tackling lead water lines in Milwaukee.

Joe Biden:

Milwaukee has more than 160,000 water service lines. More than 70,000 of them, nearly half, have lead service lines. This deal contains the largest investment in clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in American history.

Will Kennelly:

Reporting from La Crosse, this is Will Kennelly for “Here & Now.”

Frederica Freyberg:

“Here & Now” student journalist Kim Leadholm also contributed to our coverage in La Crosse this week.