Open Left

Great work

And aaarrggghhh!

This seems fixable, with appropriate pressure. Targeting the leadership might be the best path.

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by: Chris Bowers @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 16:18:01 PM CST

Agreed

The leadership of the T&I committee (both Democratic AND Republican) are pissed. They feel it was a total slap in the face that CBO did this when they have the expertise and know that these projects can be started right away.

De Fazio also spoke in the hearing. He pointed out that this is the largest committee in Congress (75 members) and if the committee came together to say they would not support a stimulus bill that only dedicated roughly 7.5% to transportation, then that might get the leadership's attention. Oberstar agreed and said he plans to take such a path.

Mica (R-FL), the ranking member, is actually really good on this committee. He's a huge rail and especially high-speed rail advocate.

I do think this is fixable. But it will take the leadership knowing there is public support for more funding for public transit and rail.  

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by: adamterando @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 16:25:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It seems insane

That we are spending $700 billion on TARP, plus another $500 billion for AIG/BofA, yet high speed rail only gets $10 billion? Only $85 billion for all infrastructure projects???

We're treating these banks like they are more important than anything else in the world, more important than jobs, energy independence, health care. And yet the banks don't seem to know what the hell they are doing and won't tell us where the money is going.

The insanity needs to stop. Hopefully starting Jan. 20th, Obama becomes a very proactive president and takes control of all this shit.

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by: existenz @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 01:29:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I have to disagree on Mica

He is only a rail advocate if it benefits private industry such as CSX and Colorado Railcar which received millions of dollars from Florida only for them to go out of business late 2008, before any of the 16 ordered railcars were delivered.

Meanwhile he has been a proponent of letting Amtrak bleed to death, by with-holding sufficient funding to maintain adequate operations.

But you are right about Mica showing up for Photo-Ops on highspeed rail everywhere, except when Floridians voted for highspeed rail in FL and Jeb Bush with-held funding, I didn't see him being a high speed rail advocate for Florida at all.

Only $1 billion for Rail( Sub-committee Chair: Corrine Brown D-FL) in the stimulus package, and another $9 for other Transit (Sub-committee Chair: Defazio )!!

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by: FayeforCure @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 15:50:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Great job, Adam.

Not sure how much help Moran will be, but I'll call him and be sure to call Warner and Webb.  We need expanded rail.

We also need a bigger stimulus.  What we have here is alright as a starting point, but it's still -- even if the TARP funds are directed in ways that might stimulate the economy -- several hundred billion short of the needed amount.

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by: Drew J Jones @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 17:49:18 PM CST

Moran will be a HUGE help

because he's on the appropriations committee. One of the three exclusive committees that will actually mark-up the bill and add amendments.

My rep. (David Price) is also on appropriations. It's really important we get people on Approp. Ways and Means, and Energy & Commerce to know that we need a bigger stimulus package and a huge boost in rail and public transit.  

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by: adamterando @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 18:54:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Moran

I was under the impression Moran was leaving for a position in the Obama administration?

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by: Drew J Jones @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 19:54:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Hadn't heard that one

there's no more cabinet and sub-cabinet positions open (except commerce, where I haven't heard his name come up). So I don't know what position he'd take. What's left would be a step down from a high-seniority representative in the majority.

You weren't thinking of his son who's running for governor of virginia were you?

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by: adamterando @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 20:01:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Possibly.

(shrug) Either way, I'll give him a call tomorrow.

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by: Drew J Jones @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 21:06:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ellen Moran

is going to be White House communications director. Maybe you have them mixed up.

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by: existenz @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 01:30:35 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Ah, yes!

Thank you.  That must be it.

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by: Drew J Jones @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 08:44:59 AM CST

[ Parent ]