Maybe It’s Because The GOP Thinks Mass Transit Is Socialism

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has rejected $300 million in stimulus money for a high-speed rail system between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Tom Atkinson of the state Department of Transportation and Development says it would be “a very valuable economic incubator for the entire corridor.”

Republican Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao has appealed to Jindal to accept the stimulus money.

Cao, R-New Orleans, on Friday called on Jindal to apply for the money. Since all U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill for the stimulus spending, Cao said, the state’s elected officials should see that Louisiana gets its fair share.

“It’s our duty to obtain as much as we can to rebuild this region,” Cao said at a news conference at his city’s train station.

He acknowledged “a real concern” about the state’s responsibility for paying the annual costs, but said the overall project would be “an $180 million win for the state of Louisiana.” Cao said he knows of at least three governments along the proposed rail route — St. Charles, Ascension and Jefferson parishes — that have promised to bear part of the annual cost.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.