This may be worth some DU input - Amer Assoc of State Highway & Transportation Officials are

[pinto]

requesting public input on their federal lobbying initiative for transport infrastructure funding (interstates and bridges, primarily).

Apparently the organization has just come out of a national conference. I happened to see a clip on CNN today that included a representative claiming that 1.8 million jobs could be created in 6 months in infrastructure repair and construction projects already planned but unfunded.

That's nothing to sneeze at. We lost some 500,000 jobs this month.

And many projects may well be structurally, economically and environmentally commendable, in light of the recent bridge failure and gas guzzling gridlock cities are experiencing.

Yet there's the missing element of incorporating rail and greener transportation initiatives in the big picture.

This may be an opportunity to weigh in for a big picture balance Obama has said he will support. That includes creating "green" jobs.

And, imho, I think Obama has the capacity and the nerve to fashion a coalition of goals to meet bigger objectives.

This may be one of those opportunities.

http://www.itoldthepresident.org/

http://news.transportation.org/press_release.aspx?Action=ViewNews&NewsID=201

http://www.change.gov

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. who will be hired is the big question...

We have way too many newsstories of companis being overpaid to build something and hiring non-union, undocumented workers who earn 2.00 an hour, etc.
No guarentee that any jobs program will benefit the Americans who have lost jobs.

[pinto]

2. This association is comprised of state officials. I don't think union issues apply here, unless

there's subcontractor problems. :shrug:

Check out their website, there's background/membership info there.

[pinto]

3. And encourage you to chime in on their comment page.

:thumbsup:

http://www.itoldthepresident.org/

[damntexdem]

4. Anything like this must have a major focus on public transit.

We need good public transit as well as good roads.

[razors edge]

5. As an asphalt plant manager

I agree we need better public transit including light rail.

Not only is it more efficient but it also lowers wear on our roads.

[pinto]

6. Agree with you both.

[TrogL]

7. Infrastructure spending is classic Keynes

...and would be perfect for this economy.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. K&R. Agreed...

This is an incredible opportunity, and think Obama is the one to take this on. But it needs to be done sooner rather than later because our infrastructure has been neglected for far too long, and before another tragedy. I know of one bridge around here that is in serious disrepair. They're planning on closing it until they can build a new one, which isn't going to be anytime soon, and forcing motorists to take a miles-long detour that goes around the lake, rather than crossing it.:-(

There's also another bridge that I had to cross nearly everyday which I learned was one of the worst. It's finally fixed now, though I no longer cross it, but I used to hold my breath everytime I went over it...:scared:

[Laelth]

9. It's a good idea.

But I also want commuter rail funding and building. We need to build a lot of new schools. In fact, there are a lot of infrastructure needs in America that have been neglected for 28 years and that need our attention.

I say, fund them all and employ everyone who wants a job. If we can spend 120 billion/year killing Iraqis, then we can spend $120 billion/year improving America and giving people good jobs.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth