I Need To Ask This Question
Bear with me a minute:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2016/03/20/self-supporting-thruway-could-get-billions-subsidies/9B1YB7xdxsyaHFSQwBJgHK/story.html
‘Self-supporting’ N.Y. Thruway could get billions in subsidies
Associated Press March 20, 2016
ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York Thruway Authority, created with a promise to be a self-sufficient entity to oversee the statewide highway, could end up taking billions in state subsidies.
State lawmakers are considering budget proposals from Governor Andrew Cuomo to use $1 billion from settlements with financial institutions to help the authority pay for a budget-busting replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge and for toll tax credits.
If approved, it would mark the second year in a row such settlement funds have been tapped by the Thruway authority, following a similar $1.3 billion transfer last year.
The governor’s plan to use about a third of this year’s settlement money for toll credits has come under fire from lawmakers and outside critics, some who say an operation once flush with revenue shouldn’t be subsidizing tolls with a one-time pot of money.
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http://www.artba.org/state-bridge-profile-new%20york-2016/
New York Highlights from FHWA’s
2015 National Bridge Inventory Data:
Of the 17,461 bridges in the state, 1,990, or 11%, are classified as structurally deficient. This means one or more of the key bridge elements, such as the deck, superstructure or substructure, is considered to be in “poor” or worse condition.
4,698 bridges, or 27%, are classified as functionally obsolete. This means the bridge does not meet design standards in line with current practice.1
Federal investment in New York has supported $17.5 billion for capital improvements on 3,481 bridge projects between 2005 and 2014.2
Since 2004, 1,304 new bridges have been constructed in the state; 565 have undergone major reconstruction.
http://www.artba.org/state-bridge-profile-massachusetts-2016/
Massachusetts Highlights from FHWA’s
2015 National Bridge Inventory Data:
Of the 5,167 bridges in the state, 461, or 9%, are classified as structurally deficient. This means one or more of the key bridge elements, such as the deck, superstructure or substructure, is considered to be in “poor” or worse condition.1
2,231 bridges, or 43%, are classified as functionally obsolete. This means the bridge does not meet design standards in line with current practice.
Federal investment in Massachusetts has supported $9.8 billion for capital improvements on 732 bridge projects between 2005 and 2014.2
Since 2004, 280 new bridges have been constructed in the state; 188 have undergone major reconstruction.
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Off the top of my head:
* Why are we building $9 billion dollar submarines?
* Why did we pay $13.9 billion dollars for an unfinished aircraft carrier?
* Why did we pay $7.5 billion dollars for a stealth destroyer?
* Why are we building F-35s?
* Why are we going to build a new stealth bomber, the B-21? (The B-2 with glass cockpit upgrades come in around $3 billion dollars. Do you think there is any chance in hell that we can build a new whatever for less than three times what the old whatever cost?)
* Why is the Air Force looking at a sixth generation stealth aircraft?
* Why are we replacing $240,000 up armored hummers $600,000 Joint Light Tactical vehicles?
* How much equipment do we have propositioned around the world and how much will it cost us to load up our new base in Cambodia with 'stuff'?
