Ron Fournier -- in an analysis piece for the AP -- spreads a lot of blame around a lot of politicians for the chaotic aftermath of Katrina. He says Presidents Bush and Clinton, Congress, and state and local politicians share part of the blame for failed flood prevention and poor response to the aftermath.But he points to the pork bloated Highway Bill signed just last month as a long running symptom. Politicians have cut needed projects in favor of pet projects they can brag about back home. Congress stuffed the Highway Bill with more than 6,000 pet projects ranging from a warehouse on the Erie Canal to a $231 million dollar bridge in Alaska to an island where only 50 people live.
Mr Fournier points out that the Army asked for $105 million in hurricane and flood control programs for New Orleans just last year. The White House slashed the request to just $40 million. Congress eventually raised it to $42.2 million.
That's $62.8 million less than what the Army said it needed.
But at least those 50 folks in Alaska will have a nice bridge to cross if they ever have to get out of the way of a hurricane. (AP)
1 comment:
Pork is bipartisan. Under the previous federal transportation bill (TEA-21) which was signed by Clinton, Louisiana received 90 cents back for every dollar it generated in federal gas tax revenue. Alaska's rate of return, on the other hand, was $6.08. I agree, the pork in the new bill is outrageous, but that bill was just signed. Blame should be placed on the previous bill.
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