Oberstar

by Marcus J. Lemon

On June 18, 2009, the leaders of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee published a blueprint of their proposed $450 billion six-year reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program. 

US House Transportation chair Rep James Oberstar is attempting to backtrack from his recent advocacy of swift action to institute a national vehicle-miles charge. He has had an aide claim the press "mistook" him.

The aide John Schadl put out a statement this week as follows:
 

James Oberstar house transportation chair wants US Government 'stimulus' money to go only to projects that use items "manufactured in the United States." (Oberstar 2009-01-07 http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3922) The United States has only one factory manufacturing electronic toll transponders and readers - TransCore's in the northern part of Albuquerque NM.

House transportation & infrastructure chair James Oberstar (Dem MN) is proposing what he calls a $85 billion plan under the heading "Put Americans Back to Work". He outlined his proposal at a "National Economic Recovery Forum" on Capitol Hill today. The congressman proposes the $85b be split:

- $30b for highways and bridges (35%)

- $12b for transit (14%)

What next? Congressional prizes, orders and medals issued by the grandees of Capitol Hill? Why not titles next? Knighthoods, baronies? Their issuance would be occasions for self promotion and fundraising, and what else is it that modern politicians look for.

US Congressmen are taking it upon themselves to issue "awards." In their own name, to boot.