(I have a soft spot for diaries about transportation - promoted by Gerald)
After the final passage and signing of a railroad investment funding bill in Augusta, the Downeaster will in all likelihood be running north from Portland to Freeport and Brunswick by July 2010.
Unfortunately, LD 2019 will only cover the cost of the train's capital expansion northward. Before the rails are ready, the highly successful Downeaster train service (which just experienced a 25% jump in ridership compared to last March) will run out of a key source of federal funding, and face an $8 million shortfall in 2009.
How to pay that $8 million in order to keep the trains running will be a critical task of the next legislature. But how is Augusta going to find that money in the midst of a recession, with shortfalls in nearly every area of government?
Naturally, lawmakers are looking to one quasi-governmental agency that's almost as bloated with excess cash as it is with outmoded bureaucrats who can't wrap their minds around the new realities and opportunities of 21st century transportation.
The Turnpork Authority has been discussing plans to spend $150 million on just 9 miles of freeway west of Portland. With that kind of money, the Downeaster could keep on running, with expanded service, for decades - and it would probably be enough to let the train become financially self-sufficient, to boot.
Thanks to recent public outrage over expensive gas and the MDOT's plans to expand I-295 and increasing gas prices, lawmakers have a keen sense of what Maine's real transportation priorities are - and an expanded freeway isn't among them. Although there is a constitutional restriction on using gas taxes and tolls only on highways (and not on railroads), some lawmakers have been discussing using toll revenues on increased bus transit (a highway use) in and between communities along the Turnpike. That would free up millions in unrestricted state and local funds to pay for rail service along the Turnpike corridor, and potentially throughout the rest of Maine as well.
The Turnpike's right-wing highway partisans have long dismissed the Downeaster as an insignificant drop in the bucket compared to the volume of traffic that their pavement moves. But when's the last time the Turnpike experienced 25% annual growth in patronage? Is the train insignificant for the thousands of Mainers saving cumulative millions of dollars in transportation costs? Have they noticed how lousy, low-wage big box farms (like Augusta Market-"Place") sprout up like weeds around Turnpike interchanges, while quality, mixed-use, downtown infill projects (like Saco Island and Brunswick Maine Street Station) get built around train stations?
Most importantly, is anyone really so foolish to think that a six-lane freeway is more important, in an age of $4/gallon gasoline, than investing in transit alternatives? Well yes, a few people are - and your toll revenues are paying their salaries.
This morning, super-delegate Rep. Tom Allen pledge his support for presidential candidate Barack Obama. From his press release:
Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Tom Allen today pledged his support to Senator Barack Obama. Allen made his announcement during a 10:30 a.m. press conference at his campaign headquarters here.
Allen said he believes that both Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton are "supremely qualified to be president."
"I have been friends for a very long time with former President Clinton and Senator Clinton. I respect their service to our nation. Hillary Clinton has run a vigorous campaign and has attracted a passionate following in Maine and around the country. She loves this country and is a true leader. For her service, I am grateful," he said.
"Most of the primary voters across the nation have now spoken. It is time to bring a graceful end to the primary campaign. We now need to unify the Democratic Party and focus on electing Senator Obama and a working majority in the United States Senate. That is how we can change the direction of the country.
"I am running for the U.S. Senate because I believe Maine should lead the change this country needs. I share important priorities with Barack Obama: universal health care, reining in gas and food prices, greater independence from foreign oil, bringing our troops safely home from Iraq, creating jobs and strengthening the middle class."
Allen said Obama is the embodiment of change for Maine and America.
"In February I watched a new generation of Mainers become involved in our nominating process because they were energized and hopeful about the future. I watched Independents and Democrats - and even a lot of Republicans -- in Maine enthusiastically support Barack Obama because they believe he can and will put America back on track," he said.
Obama won Maine's Democratic caucuses in February. His candidacy helped drive record turnout of some 45,000 participants.
Senator Obama said Maine needs Tom Allen in the U.S. Senate for the change we need. Obama's full statement:
"Tom Allen understands the challenges this country is facing, and no one has worked harder to solve them. He knows that if we're going to bring about the change this country needs, we're going to have to change the way Washington works. That's why he's never been afraid to stand up to the special interests and demand accountability from our leaders.
"Like me, Tom opposed the war in Iraq from the start, and he's been a tireless advocate for ending the war and reshaping our foreign policy to truly make this country safer and more respected. He's fought for tax cuts for the middle class, health care for all, and a return to fiscal responsibility -- something this President and his allies in the Senate seem to have forgotten about completely.
"I've had the opportunity to meet voters from every corner of Maine, and they have spoken with one voice about the need for real change. There's no question that Tom's record of service, his tenacity, and his judgment will make him an excellent Senator. I'm thrilled to be working alongside him in this critical election, and I look forward to working with him as President."
Main Public Radio broadcasts This American Life every Sunday, a show that looks at America from a much different point of view than is usual. The show last night was:
A special program about the housing crisis. We explain it all to you. What does the housing crisis have to do with the collapse of the investment bank Bear Stearns? Why did banks make half-million dollar loans to people without jobs or income? And why is everyone talking so much about the 1930s? It all comes back to the Giant Pool of Money.
It's a fascinating program, providing a historical foundation for what has become a worldwide crisis. Follow this link to TAL's website, where you will find buttons for streaming and downloading the program.
Michael Brennan is featured in this morning's Portland Press Herald. This is the first in a series that will feature all eight candidates running to be the next congressman from Maine's 1st District, as Tom Allen looks to unseat Susan Collins. The rest of the week will included:
Tuesday: Adam Cote
Wednesday: Mark Lawrence
Thursday: Stephen Meister
Friday: Chellie Pingree
Saturday: Ethan Strimling
Monday, 19 May: Dean Scontras
Tuesday: Charlie Summers
I'll note that Mr. Summers has returned home from his tour in Iraq; while he has been serving his wife Ruth has been campaigning in his stead. Welcome home Mr. Summers.
It's important, I think, to acknowledge the little things that people do, not only to give props to those that have volunteered their time, but also to remind the rest of us that even seemingly minor things (and of course major efforts like this) can make a huge difference in other people's lives:
Students at Rockland District High School traveled across the United States to lend a helping hand to those still coping with the destruction from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
For one week last month, 18 students spent their entire spring break rebuilding homes and cleaning up neighborhoods still scattered with debris from the 2005 flooding. Students said the cultural and volunteer experience was unforgettable.
The idea to travel to New Orleans began when students in the Amnesty International group decided they wanted to do something personal to help the community. In the past, the group wrote letters to in support of people who had been unfairly persecuted all over the world.
Student, Orion Pearce, suggested they travel to New Orleans to offer their assistance with disaster cleanup. Pearce had already been to New Orleans on two other occasions outside of school to help out.
And these teens may also learn something about corporate media:
The students noted that a lot of the wealthy neighborhoods showed little trace of damage, but they were surprised by how bad some of the poorer areas still looked, almost three years after the hurricane.
"It was pretty shocking," Kelsey Barnes said. "We pictured neighborhoods pushing towards repairs and some were not even started. It was definitely a lot worse than what we thought it would be."
Lincoln Spear said there were lots of overgrown areas with trash and debris still scattered around. He spent the majority of his time hauling junk - that included clothing, tree branches and appliances - from the yards.
Other students painted homes, repaired foundations and cleaned up homes and yards.
So again, props to these teens, and to all those that made this working trip possible. It is something that will stay in their memeory - and those folks that they helped - for the rest of their lives.
This opinion piece from Wednesday's Bangor Daily News is of special interest, not only because the BDN chose to print it, but because of how it selectively uses historical examples to support extremist view, while ignoring current examples that dispel it. The write, Hayes Gahagan of Presque Isle, is a former state senator and a member of the Republican State Committee:
The Republican Party is fundamentally a party of principle; it is grounded in the universal principles of individual rights, individual liberty and accountability, and opposition to nanny government and all the well-meaning ideas of National Socialism that ultimately lead to tyranny.
While Republicans may have differences over which candidate to support during a primary process; while we may disagree on specific domestic and international issues, we are and remain fundamentally unified by the basic Republican principles of individual freedom with corresponding accountability to the rule of law and limited government.
As we approach the presidential election, it will not be a cult of personality that prevails in November. There is a war of ideas raging between Republicans and National Socialists, between those who believe in limited government and those who seek unlimited government intervention and control. National Socialism did not work in Germany; it did not work in Italy; it did not work in the Soviet Union; it is not working in North Korea, Iran, Cuba or Venezuela. National Socialism will not work in the United States of America.
When Republicans talk about freedom, they forget the many times that people of all political stripes have abused that freedom. Such abuse is why government exists - if people could live without detrimentally impacting the lives of others, there would be no need for laws and regulations.
But people do not act that way, and likely never will.
Some also view freedom as not being obligated to the society that in turn supports them. The forget the many ways that their lives are made easier because others have contributed to systems that do so. I imagine that Aroostook County, sparsely populated as it is, has benefited disproportionately from the tax revenues collected from around the state - and I'm okay with that.
And of course, the irony is that Mr. Gahagan is basically calling Democrats Fascists. Dr. Lawrence Britt has prepared a list of the 14 defining characteristics of Fascism; Mr. Gahagan would do well to learn and ponder them:
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
9. Corporate Power is Protected
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections
Are Mr. Gahagan's views commonly held up to the County? Perhaps someone more familiar with the area will let us know.
Last night another candidate forum was held, this one in Ogunquit:
Debate was lively and largely aimed across party lines as seven of the eight candidates for Maine's 1st Congressional District seat faced off during a forum at the Dunaway Center on Thursday night. The exception was Adam Cote, who broke ranks with his Democratic peers on issues like health care and Iraq.
The forum was sponsored by the Portsmouth Herald, York Weekly and York County Coast Star. Democrats Cote, Michael Brennan, Mark Lawrence, Chellie Pingree and Ethan Strimling, along with Republicans Dean Scontras and Ruth Summers (standing in for her husband Charlie Summers, who was making his way home from a military tour in Iraq) answered a series of questions as they all make their case for the June 10 primary.
Concerning Iraq, the Democrats called for immediate withdrawal - except for Cote, a military veteran of both Iraq and Bosnia. He said he was firmly committed to ending the war, but urged a "detailed plan to avoid a humanitarian crisis."
Republicans Scontras and Summers, on the other hand, argued that the Bush administration's troop surge policy had worked and that the country should continue with the effort.
"Sixty percent of Americans approve of (Ambassador) Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus," Scontras said. "They are making progress. We need to consider Iran's intentions in southern Iraq."
Seacoast online will have video of the forum later today.
Our Senator, our friend from up to the County, has another video out, one that I'm sure you will want to share:
Thanks to the hard work of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, there is a list of votes by Susan Collins that shows how much she supports our nation's veterans. It is an appropriate accompaniment to the video above:
6 April 2001: $1.7 Billion for Vets' Health Care. In 2001, Collins voted against increasing funding for veterans' health care by $1.7 billion, to be offset by rolling back tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Vote #84
21 March 2003: $1 Billion for Veterans' Programs. During debate on the Fiscal Year 2004 budget resolution, Collins opposed an amendment that would have increased veterans' funding by $1 billion, to be offset by rolling back tax cuts. Vote #74
10 March 2004: Reserve Fund for Vets' Health Care. During debate on the Fiscal Year 2005 budget resolution, Collins voted to kill an amendment that would have created a reserve fund of up to $1.8 billion for veterans' health programs. Vote #40
16 March 2005: $2.8 Billion for Vets' Health Care. During debate on the Fiscal Year 2006 budget resolution, Collins voted to kill an amendment that would have increased veterans' health care funding by $2.8 billion. Vote #55
17 March and 28 April 2005: Budget VA Cuts. The Senate Republicans' initial FY06 budget resolution slashed domestic discretionary programs by $204 billion over five years, including significant cuts to veterans' benefits. Arguing against the budget, the leader of the American Legion said, " No veteran should be shortchanged by those in Congress with higher national priorities than the ongoing cost of war." The final version of the budget included $212 billion in cuts to domestic discretionary programs, including veterans' health care. Collins supported both versions. Vote #81 and Vote #114
The DSSC goes on to list SEVEN more instances where Collins does not stand by her comment from 1996, "I will never support a budget that unfairly affects veterans."
Even measures that would have paid for increased funding by "closing corporate tax loopholes and rolling back tax cuts for millionaires" or "rolling back tax cuts for just 0.2% of all taxpayers" (both quotes provided by the DSSC piece, from floor speeches given by Chris Dodd), were not seen to be unfair by Collins.
Like George Bush, and now John McCain, Susan Collins supports sending our troops into unnecessary wars and keeping them in harms way as occupying forces, but isn't willing to provide for their health needs.
Iraqi official livid over proposal supported by Senator Susan Collins to force attachment of oil revenue for American purposes
"America has hardly even begun to repay its debt to Iraq."
--Abdul Basit, the head of Iraq's Supreme Board of Audit
With another massive Iraq war funding bill now before Congress, it has become popular among Republicans and Democrats alike to take Iraq to task for not using enough of its burgeoning oil revenue for reconstruction projects. Senator Collins joined that fray in front-page stories last month, insisting that the "free ride" for Iraq should be over.
Good thing I listen to the podcast of Harry Shearer's Le Show. Otherwise, I would not have caught on the May 4 program this significant story, which last week evidently made it no further than the Chicago Tribune:
Iraq: U.S. has no claim to oil boom By Liz Sly - Tribune correspondent - May 1, 2008
BAGHDAD - As Congress gears up to debate the Bush administration's latest request for an additional $108 billion in war funding for Iraq and Afghanistan, Iraqis are fuming at suggestions being floated by lawmakers that Baghdad should start paying a share of the war's costs by providing cheap fuel to the U.S. military.
"America has hardly even begun to repay its debt to Iraq," said Abdul Basit, the head of Iraq's Supreme Board of Audit, an independent body that oversees Iraqi government spending. "This is an immoral request because we didn't ask them to come to Iraq, and before they came in 2003 we didn't have all these needs."
The issue of Baghdad's contribution to the costs of the war jumped to the forefront early in April during testimony to Congress of the Iraq war commander, Gen. David Petraeus, and the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker. Noting that the soaring price of oil is likely to give Iraq a revenue bonanza this year of up to $70 billion, senators quizzed the two on why Iraq isn't using its rising oil income to pay more of the costs of reconstruction.
Iraqi and U.S. officials say they are. Iraqis acknowledge the need for Iraq to take on a greater share of its reconstruction costs and say it is doing so. In fact, according to the latest report released Wednesday by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, the body established by Congress to monitor reconstruction spending, Iraq is now responsible for the majority of the money spent on reconstruction and the Iraqi security forces.
Iraqis say the criticisms in Washington grossly simplify the complexities of Iraq's situation and fail to take into account the vastness of Iraq's needs....
The Tribune article goes on to review the staggering history of corruption under American auspices, "Behind the controversy lies a giant muddle of misspending, waste, corruption and poor accounting on the part of both Iraq and the U.S. surrounding about $100 billion worth of spending on reconstruction and the Iraqi security forces that has barely dented Iraq's needs over the past five years."
U.S. Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has some quibbles with Congresspeople like Collins and Michigan Democrat Carl Levin, who have made hay with the "Iraqis are not pulling their weight" line--"a bit overplayed," according to Bowen. Figures are presented that suggest Iraqi piking on their own reconstruction just is not the case.
The bottom line here is that people in Iraq have noticed America's arrogance. The likes of Collins and Levin are heard to be manipulating American politics for American interests while using Iraq and it's oil as a pawn. But to me the truth is clear. America has destroyed Iraq. It's guts have been cut out to the point that, as Patrick Cockburn has described, the lakes of sewage are visible from outer space. The reconstruction projects our Congress bothers to discuss after its done funding the military operation (which works to further destroy the country) barely scratch the surface of what America owes the Iraqi people.
I was shocked to read this in today's Bangor Daily News:
Knowing their electricity wouldn't be cut off in the winter, local residents Lana and Jon Courtright chose to buy food and gasoline instead of paying their electric bill.
The bill was placed on the back burner and now "we're just behind," Lana Courtright said on Wednesday, adding the couple received a disconnection notice from Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. a couple of days ago for the $400 past due bill.
"What are you going to do," she said. "You need those two [gas and groceries] to pay the other one."
The disconnection notice is just one of approximately 46,000 the electric company has issued this year to its 118,000 customers, Kim Wadleigh, senior director of customer operations at Bangor Hydro, said Wednesday.
The company has unpaid customer bills totaling $3.6 million and notices were sent out to nearly half of its total customers. Most are residential purchasers, she said.
---
"The PUC rules, known as the winter disconnect rule, basically state that between Nov. 15 and April 15 residential disconnections need PUC approval," she said. "This applies to all utilities" not just electric companies.
"Generally, you don't see disconnections between those months," Rice said.
Rice added that if customers make an effort to make payments, they generally will not be disconnected.
It's just incredible, and I fear just the tip of the iceberg.
In other energy news, E10 fuel, gasoline blended with 10% ethanol, has made its way to southern Maine, as reported in the Portland Press Herald today:
The Gulf Oil LP terminal in South Portland, which sells to Gulf and Exxon stations, is blending 10 percent ethanol with its gasoline supply. This so-called E10 fuel began arriving this month at pumps in the Portland area; it will expand to other areas by summer.
The record price of crude oil is the biggest factor behind the rapid change in Maine. The oil run-up has made ethanol blended fuel less expensive. On top of that, federal subsidies that amount to 5 cents per gallon create an incentive for companies that produce and market the product.
Those incentives, plus the growing supply of ethanol, are driving the market change.
The change was also mandated by Congress. And while it is hardly a scientific survey, judging from the comments to the article, E10 isn't going to go over to well with Mainers there.
Jonathan Kaplan has this companion piece about the hearing held by the HS&GA Committee yesterday.
Using a rigorous endorsement process, including lengthy candidate questionnaires and interviews, and culminating with votes by the general membership and an Elections Committee, the Maine League of Young Voters has endorsed Chellie Pingree as the best candidate from either party for Congress in Maine's First District.
This is the first year the League has endorsed during a primary. Here's what they said:
"Chellie is the poster child for a successful non-traditional candidate. As a mother, a farmer and small business owner, Chellie rose through the ranks to become an effective and feisty leader as a former Senate Majority Leader and president of Common Cause. Strengthening the economy is a huge priority for Chellie. She proposes tons of ways to increase wages and bring people out of poverty: greater unionization of industry, education (higher and lower), green jobs initiatives, legislation to lower student loan interest rates, and serious regulation of abusive lenders. With the track record of successful leadership and strong relationships in DC, Chellie is the best candidate to face the enormous challenges in the first two years in office."
The League has become a powerful and vibrant political force in Maine. We're very excited that they gave Chellie their endorsement.
Congressional candidate Michael Brennan delivered the following letter to his three representatives in Congress today:
May 7, 2008
Dear Senators Snowe and Collins and Representative Allen,
I am writing you as a constituent to request that you oppose the supplemental funding request of $178 billion for the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that will soon be before you in Congress. I also would encourage you to speak out against such funding immediately. I oppose said funding even if the final request turns out to be less than the $178 billion that is now being reported, and I urge you to oppose any funding request that is not directly tied to the safe removal of all of our combat troops.
As part of its ongoing series profiling each of the candidates running to be Maine's 1st District congressman, Maine Public Radio had this report about Michael Brennan.
Click on the "windows" button to stream it on your computer.
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