[Speed Gibson,
Sunday February 17, 2008 at 10:35am]
It's all about Light Rail, isn't it?
The Transportation Bill is front and center. We're all talking about what it is and isn't. It's going to be rammed through or be the focus of the their fall Legislative campaign. I've said this before, but I think we're still missing the point: Light Rail.
Of course there's pork in the Transportation Bill and the Bonding Bill. But let's not hesitate to name the biggest slab by far: Light Rail.
We have plenty of money for roads and bridges, particularly if the urban/rural allocation is adjusted by usage, not by politics. There's no need to raise taxes except for one reason: Light Rail.
Maybe it's not getting much attention because our Prime Minister has been walking both sides of this street. He's agog about rail service from Big Lake and signed off on another $70 million for planning the Central Corridor line. As such, he can only so go far when demanding cost/benefit justification on all projects because in McCain fashion he went soft on: Light Rail.
If I were a Legislator I would vote no on any bill containing money for any new Light Rail construction. We have to live with Hiawatha, and fund its endless deficits. But no more, please. For it sure looks to me like the biggest boondoggle in the 150 year history of Minnesota is: Light Rail.
Of course there's pork in the Transportation Bill and the Bonding Bill. But let's not hesitate to name the biggest slab by far: Light Rail.
We have plenty of money for roads and bridges, particularly if the urban/rural allocation is adjusted by usage, not by politics. There's no need to raise taxes except for one reason: Light Rail.
Maybe it's not getting much attention because our Prime Minister has been walking both sides of this street. He's agog about rail service from Big Lake and signed off on another $70 million for planning the Central Corridor line. As such, he can only so go far when demanding cost/benefit justification on all projects because in McCain fashion he went soft on: Light Rail.
If I were a Legislator I would vote no on any bill containing money for any new Light Rail construction. We have to live with Hiawatha, and fund its endless deficits. But no more, please. For it sure looks to me like the biggest boondoggle in the 150 year history of Minnesota is: Light Rail.