Earmarking Roads
We pay 48¢ a gallon gas tax (30¢ state; 18¢ federal) but almost every day we read the state is delaying crucial road projects â like I-540 â for years. The News and Observer (10-29-06) has identified one reason: Earmarks.
Perks for Congressmen. If youâre a Congressman building the most needed roads in the state may not make sense, politically, unless the roads happen to be in your district. But North Carolina Congressmen have found a way around that. They have shanghaied $135 million in federal transportation money and spent it in their districts â rather than letting the state spend it. One local Congressmen, David Price, âearmarkedâ $2.8 million for a bike path. In the meantime, it looks like I-540 may be built by the turn of the century.
To comment, send us an email to comment@talkingaboutpolitics.com.
Earmarking Roads
We pay 48¢ a gallon gas tax (30¢ state; 18¢ federal) but almost every day we read the state is delaying crucial road projects â like I-540 â for years. The News and Observer (10-29-06) has identified one reason: Earmarks.
Perks for Congressmen. If youâre a Congressman building the most needed roads in the state may not make sense, politically, unless the roads happen to be in your district. But North Carolina Congressmen have found a way around that. They have shanghaied $135 million in federal transportation money and spent it in their districts â rather than letting the state spend it. One local Congressmen, David Price, âearmarkedâ $2.8 million for a bike path. In the meantime, it looks like I-540 may be built by the turn of the century.
To comment, send us an email to comment@talkingaboutpolitics.com.