new roads

I’m doing something different this time around.  When I can, I’m ignoring the inflection of their voices and the roar of the crowds, the color of their skin and their age, their suits and posture, their party and the translations offered up every minute by professional pundits on every channel and across the dial.  I’m reading the words of their speeches and deciding for myself wha

Harold Ford, Jr. pens a column for the Wall Street Journal urging a Keynesian approach to solving our economic woes:

Take note:

Dear Friend of Bells Bend,

We need your help one more time before the July 24th Planning Commission Meeting.

The planning commissioners have not heard from many Bells Bend supporters. It is CRITICAL that they hear from us over the next 3 days.

Southern Beale is no fan of the toll road:

Toll roads.

I don’t in principal object to the idea of toll roads, if the intent is to encourage, say, car pooling. But as a means of financing new road construction? Dumb idea!

Today's greenwash example: ecotourism, defined by Wikipedia thus.

Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals.

Here are some of the rumors as to what is going to happen on the budget. From what I here most of this is close to in stone but not totally there yet.

No pre K expansion at all.

No new land purchase.

End to the bowl wevil eradication fund.

No pay raise for state employees.

BEP 2.0 stays funded where it is.

After years of raiding our road fund, legislators inspired by the lobbying efforts of former Bredesen staffer turned lobbyist girlfriend of the House Transportation Committee Chairman, succeeded in persuading a majority of legislators to offer up a pilot program allowing for toll roads.

What a wonderful way to pay for new roads!

"During the last special census in 2006, Franklin lost out on $880,000 that could've paid for new roads, equipment and salaries, all because about 8,000 residents didn't participate."