From Denver: Dems Discuss Funding Woes; Biden Says “Amtrak”
Last night saw what might one day qualify as an historic moment in transportation circles, as vice presidential candidate Joe Biden used the "A"-word during his speech to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. From a transcript of Biden's address, via CNN:
You know, John McCain is my friend. And I know you hear that phraseused all the time in politics. I mean it. John McCain is my friend.
We've traveled the world together. It's a friendship that goes beyondpolitics. And the personal courage and heroism demonstrated by Johnstill amazes me.
But I profoundly disagree with the directionJohn wants to take this country, from Afghanistan to Iraq, from Amtrakto veterans.
Meanwhile, earlier in the week, a panel of Democratic pols and economists seemed to agree that new investment in American infrastructure -- including freight and commuter rail -- is sorely needed, but came up short on the subject of funding. Roll Call reports:
They allexpressed the need for a private-public partnership, but the questionof where to raise federal funding caused anxiety among the electedofficials.
Onekey issue was that the current system for infrastructure funding,implemented in the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, relies on gas taxesfor revenue. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) called any attempt by Congressto raise the gas tax “dead on arrival.”
ButGov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) said that with or without the gas tax somethinghad to be done to bridge the funding gap, noting that the $1.6 trillioncited by the ASCE report would only cover maintenance, not newprojects.
“WhenI became governor I had to raise $2.4 billion in taxes,” Rendell said.“When re-election came around — people aren’t stupid — one incumbentlost and she voted against the tax increase.
“This is the time we have to challenge the American people. Folks, you get what you pay for.”
Photo: Associated Press via CNN
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