DoT asks Congress to fund a $957 million socialist boondoggle

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The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has sent a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) to Congress for the proposed $957 million Central Corridor Light-Rail Transit Project that would link downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis.

A 60-day review will occur prior to execution, when the agreement would commit the federal government to half of the project cost. The project, which would be the largest public works project in Minnesota history, has cost $145 million to date for design, property and construction.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/Federal-grant-agreement-sent-to-Congress-for-Twin-Cities-lightrail-project--25683

The Republican Study Committee, a group of 165 conservative House Republicans, including Minnesotans U.S. Reps. John Kline and Michele Bachmann, rolled out a proposal to save $2.5 trillion over 10 years. Among the proposals was eliminating the $2-billion-a-year New Starts program, the FTA's primary funding mechanism for major mass transit initiatives, including the Central Corridor.

If the New Starts program were eliminated, there would essentially be no federal funding for the Central Corridor, a nearly certain fatal blow. However, with Democrats in control of the Senate and the majority of House Republicans not signed on for the Study Committee's proposal, it's unlikely New Starts would be scrapped entirely.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_17178383?nclick_check=1

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's all code words for one big, bicycle path.

[^_^ 5,021]

It's all code words for one big, bicycle path.

Can the days when Democratic Party bosses come to your house to confiscate your car (and, of course, give it to some poor black person) be far behind?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Can the days when Democratic Party bosses come to your house to confiscate your car (and, of course, give it to some poor black person) be far behind?

Thugs 4-ever, OG.

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Thugs 4-ever, OG.

[Pooky 3,343]

It's all code words for one big, bicycle path.

When the trains stop, that's what they become anyway.

It's called Re-Cycling

[luckytxn 2,263]

That is the city where the bridge fell down.....right?

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That is the city where the bridge fell down.....right?

That's what happens when you let union labor build your bridges. Had this nation built its infrastructure with un-unionized labor, we wouldn't have had to spend one red penny on maintenance or age related rehabilitation. Every time I see unionized workers filling in potholes all I see is a boondoggle. See, I'm a self-taught expert in this stuff (among other stuff) and I know that some countries (like Australia) roads never get potholes. Unlike us, they're smart enough to not use unionized labor so they get the very best product money can't even buy. It's a no brainer!

[luckytxn 2,263]

That's what happens when you let union labor build your bridges. Had this nation built its infrastructure with un-unionized labor, we wouldn't have had to spend one red penny on maintenance or age related rehabilitation. Every time I see unionized workers filling in potholes all I see is a boondoggle. See, I'm a self-taught expert in this stuff (among other stuff) and I know that some countries (like Australia) roads never get potholes. Unlike us, they're smart enough to not use unionized labor so they get the very best product money can't even buy. It's a no brainer!

OK. Since I am a Texan I can almost buy that.

[Pooky 3,343]

That's what happens when you let union labor build your bridges. Had this nation built its infrastructure with un-unionized labor, we wouldn't have had to spend one red penny on maintenance or age related rehabilitation. Every time I see unionized workers filling in potholes all I see is a boondoggle. See, I'm a self-taught expert in this stuff (among other stuff) and I know that some countries (like Australia) roads never get potholes. Unlike us, they're smart enough to not use unionized labor so they get the very best product money can't even buy. It's a no brainer!

It's not quite that simple. However, having worked on non-Union construction and projects with a PLA, I know which way I'd prefer to bid jobs. There are good Union-affiliated contractors, and bad open-shop contractors, but restricting the pool of possible contractors will always hurt a project.

[^_^ 5,021]

That's what happens when you let union labor build your bridges. Had this nation built its infrastructure with un-unionized labor, we wouldn't have had to spend one red penny on maintenance or age related rehabilitation.

It's not quite that simple.

What are you, some kinda pro big government union lovin' socialist?

Edited February 5, 2011 by \

[one...two...tree 2,762]

No dissin the boss man, but damn his beeyotch looks fine.

[^_^ 5,021]

... damn his beeyotch looks fine.

No foot massages, ok?

[Pooky 3,343]

What are you, some kinda pro big government union lovin' socialist?

Not exactly. I just been dealing with construction trades on a daily basis for years and have a good insight into how things pan out, both in the finished product and the end price.

[^_^ 5,021]

What are you, some kinda pro big government union lovin' socialist?

Not exactly.

There was only one right answer to that - no. Your inability to say no is telling. I guess you really are a socialist.