Political Quotes

“Let me, first of all, thank Mr. Latham and Mr. Pastor for their leadership on this important legislation and overall indicate that my amendment is important, but it restates a current law. In particular, what I think is important is that it emphasizes the nature of projects that create economic development, particularly in the transportation area. It cites 5309, title 49, the Secretary may make grants under this section to State and local government authorities to assist in financing, goes on to say new fixed guideway capital projects, small start projects, including acquisition of real property. It goes on to talk about car capacity improvements, including double tracking, and it specifically goes into the line of work that deals with projects on approved transportation plans. That is key. The language here says section grants to State and local governments, which means that when local governments propose their projects, the Secretary has the authority to go forward on them. Let me, for a moment, give some quotes from organizations that have supported light rail and the economic development of transportation. One statement says that we simply cannot afford to have limitations on Federal funding or turn away money that can be utilized to make our region a better place to live, work, and build businesses. It is well documented that economic development of transportation projects guides the Nation.…”