AFL-CIO: Bush budget neglects nation's transportation needs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2008/2/6/AFL-CIOBushbudgetneglectsnationstransportationneeds.aspx

The Trucker News Services

2/6/2008

WASHINGTON — The Bush Administration’s $68 billion budget for the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Feb. 4 does not have support from everyone.

“Transportation unions are deeply disappointed but not surprised that the President has again issued a budget that badly short-changes the transportation system and infrastructure needs of our nation,” stated the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, which represents 32 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries

"This administration has kept the streak alive," said Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO in a news release. "Eight consecutive Bush budgets have neglected our national transportation system and left our economy vulnerable."

"The decaying state of our transportation infrastructure isn't some theory — the collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis is proof that more inaction and neglect threaten Americans' lives and our national economy," Wytkind said. "You can't just wish for things to somehow take care of themselves — you have to establish priorities and commit the resources to make them happen."

Once again, the Bush Administration has proposed a funding level for Amtrak that would bankrupt it, abandon 26 million passengers and eliminate 20,000 jobs.

FULL story at link.

[Autumn]

1. Not surprised

bush has shortchanged all of America.