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Post by rubbertoe on Mar 29, 2012 7:32:06 GMT -8
Voting now...
There are 242 Republicans, they need 218 to pass the short term extension. It will take 25 no votes from Republicans to stop it, assuming all the Dems vote no...
RT
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Post by rubbertoe on Mar 29, 2012 11:30:14 GMT -8
The House passed a 90 day extension, and the Senate followed up and sent it to the President to sign. We will now see a repeat of the same show in another 90 days. Given what happened here, I see no incentive for the House to ever pass another multi-year Transportation Bill. They will simply continue passing 90-day extensions from now on, each one a day or two before the current one expires. The Senate has to go along, otherwise very bad things happen. It's a "beautiful" political situation, they have complete control of the process. Nothing can change it. RIP America Fast Forward RT
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Post by jdrcrasher on Mar 29, 2012 12:05:31 GMT -8
RIP America Fast Forward RT Not just yet.
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Post by erict on Mar 29, 2012 15:30:42 GMT -8
Another extension, how sad. It's proof again that our leaders are incapable of getting anything done. Polarized politics threatens us all.
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Post by jdrcrasher on Mar 29, 2012 21:19:40 GMT -8
^ In some ways it has already destroyed everyone. And it WON'T get better with increasing media presence and influence to constantly veer the public's opinion back and forth again and again and again.
Politics will eventually prove to be a failure.
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Post by rubbertoe on Apr 18, 2012 17:40:01 GMT -8
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Post by rubbertoe on Jun 27, 2012 18:06:58 GMT -8
The PBS Newshour reported tonight that the House is apparently reaching a deal where they pass a two year Transportation Bill, and stop the raising of the student loan interest rates. More when I get further information.
RT
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Post by rubbertoe on Jun 28, 2012 11:07:41 GMT -8
Per the Times today:
Officials say that $20 billion in federal loans could be made available nationally over the next two years under the legislation. Loans to the MTA would be repaid from the half-penny sales tax increase approved by L.A. County voters in 2008. But the loans alone will not be enough. Villaraigosa has proposed a ballot measure in November to extend the half-penny sales tax beyond 2039 to help fund his initiative.
If that comes about, it looks like the Regional Connector and the Westside Subway will get done as fast as planning and lawsuits allow. Lack of money will no longer be an obstacle.
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Post by pithecanthropus on Jun 30, 2012 11:08:16 GMT -8
The new transportation spending bill passed by overwhelming majorities in both houses. Rabid conservative Tea Party reps voted for it. A far to the left Democrat who identifies as a democratic socialist--amazing to know there is one--voted for it. And, so did just about everyone else. It's a good thing for Southern California, obviously.
I was skeptical when Obama nominated Ray LaHood as Transportation Secretary back in '08, but I think he's turned out to be an excellent choice, as he undoubtedly has played a major role in generating bipartisan support on this issue. Through all the tortuous budget battles of the last two years, I couldn't help but notice that support always remained fairly strong for the 10-30/America Fast Forward initiative.
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