[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Structural Sacred Cows 4

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Structural Sacred Cows 4
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1236568599.shtml


   Itâs time for another installment of [1]Gregg J. Cavanagh's herd of
   Sacred Cows that are blocking the road to sustainable Minnesota State
   spending.
    1. Cut the size of the Legislature.
    2. Eliminate the education monopoly.
    3. Turn off the welfare magnet.
    4. Place a moratorium on light-rail projects.
       These projects are incredibly expensive to build, serve only a
       small percentage of state residents, and run perennial operating
       deficits. A state flush with cash might construct such projects as
       a luxury. A state with a huge deficit should focus on moving the
       most people with the fewest dollars. That's what roads do.
    5. Reduce or eliminate the corporate income tax.
    6. Outsource whenever possible.
    7. Repeal the prevailing wage law.
    8. Ban project labor agreements.
    9. Stop trying to run everything.

   ***
   Mr. Cavanagh says it well, but I'll go further. Light Rail never was
   and never will be necessary, significannt or viable as a
   transportation solution.
   Spending a fraction of Light rail money on buses would have improved
   transit service far more. Don't forget, existing bus service along the
   Hiawatha was gutted to create artificial demand for it. The same fate
   awaits Routes 16 and 94 when (if?) the Central Corridor starts
   running.
   Spending the same money on roads, which could include some bus lanes,
   would benefit most of the area, not the narrow segment served today.
   As a part time bus rider, it upsets me that we're raising bus fares
   solely to help cover the hemorrhagic losses being rung up by Light
   Rail. Let me also note for the record that I requested such figures
   three times from Met Council last year, via three different people.
   I'm still waiting.
   Spending any more on Light Rail is totally irresponsible. Any
   Legislator voting to expand this system cannot claim to be at all
   serious about getting control of State spending.

References

   1. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1235862252.shtml