"Interim deal on highway fund fails" by Laura Litvan | Bloomberg News June 27, 2014
WASHINGTON — A roadwork slowdown reminiscent of the partial closure of the federal government last year is now hanging over the US economy as Congress leaves town without a deal for replenishing the Highway Trust Fund.
As if you could trust this government in any matter!
Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, tried to move things along Thursday with a bill in the Senate Finance Committee that would provide a six-month, $9 billion infusion.
Maybe the permanent tax breaks for bu$ine$$es would help patch things up.
His bill, funded largely by tax changes, failed to win over Republicans, and the committee chose to leave for a weeklong recess without voting as they pursue a deal acceptable to all sides.
‘‘It’s important for the committee to get something done, but also to get it done right,’’ said Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, the top Republican on the committee.
Congress had to pass nine brief extensions from late 2009 until mid-2012, when it finally agreed on a two-year measure for highway and mass transit programs. With the Highway Trust Fund expected to be depleted as soon as July, about 112,000 construction projects and almost 700,000 jobs await word on new federal funding.
The authority to levy an 18.4 cent-per-gallon gas tax that largely funds the $50 billion-a-year in federal monies for highway, bridge, and mass transit projects expires Sept. 30.
Then why are those things falling apart? Who stole that fund?
The US Department of Transportation last month projected that the part of the trust fund that pays for road and bridge projects will have less than $4 billion next month and will be short $400 million sometime in August.
More money is needed to ensure states can keep road construction and repaving projects going, especially after a harsh winter that undermined pavement across the United States.
In this age of global warming? Are you kidding?
You know, not to get into a huff, but you guys have to stop trotting out horrible winter when it suits your excuse and then screaming global warming for more loot.
Yeah, $elf-$erving liars suck, and so do the new$papers that push their agenda!
Even if the Senate committee approves the bill, Republican leaders in the House have already said they won’t produce their plan until next month and said they would reject any tax increases, a core part of Wyden’s proposal.
Thank the Lord Republicans control the House (and soon the Senate)!
To pay for the six-month, $9 billion infusion, Wyden is proposing to change mortgage-interest deduction documentation in a way that he says can raise $2.2 billion over 10 years through better tax compliance.
‘‘Simply put, there is no way tax hikes to pay for more spending will fly in the House,’’ House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, a Michigan Republican, said Wednesday.
A very important Republican, which is why the Justice Department is investigating him.
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So let's recap: Israel's concerns taken care of, war machine funded, well-connected corporations getting their welfare, lavish political lifestyles set, but no money for unemployment extensions, food stamps get cut, and now the roads and bridges are being neglected.
And they wonder why approval is in the single digits when it comes to Congre$$?
"US transportation chief discusses state funding" by Jennifer McDermott | Associated Press July 04, 2014
PROVIDENCE — US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told states this week to expect a 28 percent cut on average in funding for the highway programs beginning Aug. 1.
Booga-booga!
I don't know why because the authority doesn't run out until September 30.
This is once again -- like the current immigration crisis -- a COMPLETELY CONTRIVED CRISIS by the Obama administration!
‘‘It’s very frustrating, to be honest with you,’’ Foxx said during a press conference at the State House.
It sure as hell is, being stuck in the bull$hit traffic of the Boston Globe's political coverage.
‘‘Because every generation of Americans, every single one, has left a better country behind them. And we are at risk of pulling up the drawbridge. And I will not let that happen quietly.’’
Blame the elite 1% for stealing all the money.
Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island, said partisan gridlock in Washington is ‘‘threatening to put the brakes on highway spending and transit spending and jobs.’’
I'm tired of that lame $traw man of an argument, Jack.
‘‘We’re on the cusp of a disaster,’’ he said.
Seems like everywhere you turn these days there is an urgent disaster needing attention (and money!). I don't know where to start first!
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If I come across any more road kill I may link it below.
Then again, I may not.
Sorry.
