House stimulus bill--Mass transit got the shaft to make room for....wait for it....

[antigop]

TAX CUTS!
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/oberstar-mass-transit-got-the-shaft-to-make-room-for-tax-cuts.php

I wondered last week why the $825 billion House stimulus bill gave the short end of the stick to mass transit, despite vows from President Obama and other Dems to wean the country off its obsession with gas-guzzling car travel. After all, the House bill contains only $10 billion for transit compared with $30 billion for road-building -- a $20 billion-plus cut from the infrastructure stimulus proposal put forth last month by Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the House transportation panel.

It looks like Oberstar himself shed some more light on the question two days ago, while Washington was in the thick of inauguration fever. In a speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Oberstar explained why ground-breaking infrastructure projects got sliced: to make room for tax cuts.

[polichick]

1. imo he shouldn't have to compromise on tax cuts at this point.

[OregonBlue]

2. So disgusting on every level.

[formercia]

3. The great addiction to the automobile.

I thought President Obama was going to address entitlements. :)

[hippywife]

4. He has a lot to do.

Cut him a little slack and give him some time. Please. :hi: