Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz will return to the city this weekend after two days in Washington, D.C. in search of federal funding for local projects.
Cieslewicz's stay in the capital began Thursday as he met with Wisconsin representatives Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison; and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis..
According to spokesperson George Twigg, federal money is crucial to sustaining Madison's day-to-day operations.
'A lot of it is not glamorous stuff,' Twigg said. 'But it's important nuts-and-bolts stuff that keeps the city working.'
One notable project being funded in part by federal money is the reconstruction of State Street. However, Twigg said, the battle for a piece of the pie is intense.
'The competition is really nationwide,' Twigg said. 'We're competing against everyone from [Milwaukee mayor] Tom Barrett to the guy in Alaska that wanted $200 million to build a bridge to nowhere,' he added, referring to projects that have led some to label federal money for city and state projects 'pork.'
But according to UW-Madison political science professor David Canon, local officials frequently make fundraising trips to Washington.
'It's not at all unusual to have money flowing from Washington, D.C. to the states and cities,' Canon said.
Twigg said the mayor is doing what is necessary to make sure Madison does not fall behind other cities.
'It is something that mayors and local officials do around the country,' Twigg said. 'It's necessary these days to make sure that our projects get funded and that we, as a community, get our fair share.'
