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.
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