I saw the headline and thought, “we ripping out the highways or doubling down on them with expensive bandaid ‘fixes’?”
Doubling down it is. Crap like this is why Biden will never be a “climate president”: we can’t address the systemic issues that are the primary drivers of climate change as long as we keep trying to work within the confines of said systems.
Some of the blame lies at the feet of state DOTs that are still drawing up these projects. In Austin’s case, I think the I-35 widening is basically being forced down the city’s throat by a revanchist state government.
For sure, state DOTs are completely complicit in the problem (some more than others), as they’re the ones deciding and designing the projects (highways are generally their jurisdiction). However the federal government has complete say in what projects they help fund, and could definitely set standards dictating the types of projects to move forward.
@regul@fireweed That’s how US government works. Democrats propose to do something moderate that would help a little bit but they already compromised on important details before they started, Republicans throw a tantrum, Democrats capitulate, billions more dollars get poured down the toilet (or into highways) with very few dollars going to something useful but the net effect being overwhelmingly bad.
Biden is a far right president he just isn’t Trump. The only reason we must vote for him. This makes our two teir government bullshit. Because we will never get the changes needed under this current system.
It will always be voting for the lesser evil who is always moving futher right.
The largest grant is going to Portland for a freeway widening that has occasionally included a cap in the renders.
Austin’s grant is going to a similar project.
The freeway widenings apparently must continue, but now they’ll just come with caps in progressive cities.
I saw the headline and thought, “we ripping out the highways or doubling down on them with expensive bandaid ‘fixes’?”
Doubling down it is. Crap like this is why Biden will never be a “climate president”: we can’t address the systemic issues that are the primary drivers of climate change as long as we keep trying to work within the confines of said systems.
Some of the blame lies at the feet of state DOTs that are still drawing up these projects. In Austin’s case, I think the I-35 widening is basically being forced down the city’s throat by a revanchist state government.
For sure, state DOTs are completely complicit in the problem (some more than others), as they’re the ones deciding and designing the projects (highways are generally their jurisdiction). However the federal government has complete say in what projects they help fund, and could definitely set standards dictating the types of projects to move forward.
I think they tried to do that and Mitch McConnell told red states to ignore those rules and then the feds cowardly backed off.
@regul @fireweed That’s how US government works. Democrats propose to do something moderate that would help a little bit but they already compromised on important details before they started, Republicans throw a tantrum, Democrats capitulate, billions more dollars get poured down the toilet (or into highways) with very few dollars going to something useful but the net effect being overwhelmingly bad.
Was this back when his wife was transportation Secretary? Cuz she ain’t there no more
No, 2022:
Here’s McConnell saying to ignore it:
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2022/02/11/mcconnell-tells-states-to-just-ignore-bidens-progressive-new-road-priorities
Here’s the feds being cowards:
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/24/transportation-department-highways-states-00084332
Bummer
Biden is a far right president he just isn’t Trump. The only reason we must vote for him. This makes our two teir government bullshit. Because we will never get the changes needed under this current system.
It will always be voting for the lesser evil who is always moving futher right.
Removed by mod
Yep he didn’t even repeal Trump tax cuts for the rich.
Removed by mod
except when he did
Removed by mod
if you want to ignore reality, and believe your lies so your poor little brain doesn’t get hurt by the cognitive dissonance, that’s all you.
but just so everyone is all clear here: this is your lie you’re living, you have no-one to blame but yourself.