After reading quite a bit about this subject, my opinion is that The Republican controlled state assembly, and the federal government under republican control has done just as much "command and control" over local transportation projects as you suggest an Obama administration would. Whether the massive and easy highway funding and slower-n-mollasses running up a tree in winter transit process is merely a result of pork-barrel politics or a more deliberate goal, the fact remains that Republicans have an impressive record of promoting low-density land-use/transportation environments.
Ideally I'd love to see our government undertake a process of reforming the State and Federal transportation funding model to give metropolitan areas (READ: local governments) more direct control over transportation funding. In fact, let me outline my plan right now: The state shall control no more than 25% of all federal/state transportation monies collected/distributed in the state. That 25% shall be dedicated exclusively to maintaining transportation infrastructure outside of metropolitan areas. Any money left over from the 25% must be distributed to local units of government. Under no circumstances shall the state earmark monies outside of that 25% for any one particular mode of transportation, location, or project. Monies not utilized by the state are to be distributed to metropolitan areas based on population with no strings attached. -----Original Message----- From: Eric Westhagen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 2:50 PM To: Matt Logan; BikiesSubmissions Subject: Re: [Bikies] Where They Stand: Obama and McCain on Transportation Dear Matt, I read your link to JS online. That article is my only knowledge and experience with your question. My answer would begin with the premise that only Government can construct projects not tied to economic decisions. The pyramids in Egypt were a good example and FDR's WPA, was probably for similar reasons. In a voting toss up State like Wisconsin, for Tommy Thompson to remain in office that long, he both had his ear to the ground and was basically "bi-partisan." The JS article did not make your contention that somehow the Governor was against light rail within the City of Milwaukee and "greater Milwaukee and Norquist" were madly in favor. It seems they sank much money into studying the question. Since the light rail would not affect the rest of the State, had the areas lumped as the seven counties backed the proposal, I would expect the governor would also have done so. Certainly the State outside Milwaukee should not have been liable for moneys or should have their overall transportation moneys be diverted for a Milwaukee meto system. So, why didn't Norquist go ahead, anyway? Why couldn't they have linked the system with the major highways like Chicago's NW if getting to --say Miller Park, Summerfest, or other outer areas was a big thing? Doesn't it boil down to the problem that when something doesn't make "economic sense" and is just a convenience or amenity, paid for by "other peoples money", an awful lot of politics gets involved? Yet it is only the Government that can bull through such uneconomic projects as the Boston grand tunnel. Personally I don't wish to fly and always take the railroad. But I remember back in the 1970s, my Mother would call her old friends to meet for lunch in the Loop in Chicago, asking they took the "L" and subway from the NW Side. But they all refused to take "light rail" even from Irving Park as safety had so deteriorated. And in the JS article, that topic was also mentioned. Nevertheless, Government does have the power to put through nearly anything. We certainly have seen that this past week. Maybe many of the old rail beds turned to bike lanes should be relayed with tracks, now there is once again an economic need? And last, it seems the 6 billion to which you referred, is for all the highway, bridge, and related infrastructure rebuilding and repair for "seven counties." Matt Logan wrote: > Eric, > > I was wondering how you felt about the State of Wisconsin's (under > republican control at the time) intrusion into Milwaukee's light rail > project about 15 years ago? > > http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=794156 > > Basically, the state used command and control policies to torpedo light > rail and forced the $6 bil Marquette interchange to be built against the > wishes of Milwaukee County. > > - Matt. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Eric Westhagen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 11:20 AM > To: Matt Logan; BikiesSubmissions > Subject: Re: [Bikies] Where They Stand: Obama and McCain on > Transportation > > Dear Matt Logan, > > It comes as no surprise that Democrats embrace Federal and State > intrusion into zoning and worse to create "ideal" living spaces under > the banner of "smart growth." > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > Bikies@danenet.org > http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies > > > _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list Bikies@danenet.org http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
