Thread: Gov. can't dodge ownership in bridge collapse

Gov. Pawlenty can't dodge ownership in bridge collapse

Gov. Pawlenty can't dodge ownership in bridge collapse


by Kathlyn Stone
OpEdNews.Com Progressive, Tough Liberal News and Opinion Home Page

Six years ago independent engineers at the University of Minnesota warned that the I-35 bridge had “evidence of fatigue on the main truss and floor trusses and said the bridge might collapse if part of the truss gave way under the eight-lane freeway.”


In a brazen CYA move last night, Gov. Pawlenty (Bush Republican) said 2005 and 2006 bridge studies indicated there were "no structural deficits" in the I-35 bridge.


But today the president's spokesperson said the report actually said there were structural deficits. A 2005 federal inspection rated the bridge 50 on a scale of 120 for structural stability, and the Bush administration said it was up to state officials to take corrective action.


The Minnesota Legislature attempted to take corrective action by passing transportation funding bills, but Pawlenty vetoed them.


In a followup CYA move Thursday morning, after being cast aside by Team Bush like a used-up trollup, Gov. Tim Pawlenty orders inspection of all state bridges. Sure, make it look as if you suddenly care about public safety. A new round of inspections (by more political appointees or privatized and outsourced, one should presume) does not deflect the fact that four people are reported dead (so far), the bodies of passengers in 20 cars are now resting in the Mississippi or trapped beneath twisted metal, and 79 are injured from yesterday’s collapse.


How do you like them apples, Pawlenty? You pledged to follow the Bush-Cheney playbook to a "T" – forsaking Minnesotans’ interest -- and now you are left holding the bag all on your own. Every Minnesotan knows (or should be aware) that the MNDOT, the League of Minnesota Cities, bi-partisan legislative and citizens groups and the state's largest businesses have been begging for transportation funding, including attention to problem bridges, for years. Citizens even passed a constitutional amendment last fall because of your stubborn refusal to deal with the transportation budget crisis.


Pawlenty twice vetoed a bi-partisan bill to increase the gas tax to pay for the state’s transportation infrastructure needs and took no steps to heed numerous warnings. Failure.


"I'd stand with President Bush if his approval rating was 2 percent. I won't abandon my leader just because times are tough." Gov. Tim Pawlenty, October 20, 2005“

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And just one more thing….


Sen. Amy Klobuchar says: "Bridges in America don't just collapse."

She's said it at least three times now in press conferences and interviews since last night. Every time I hear that it about sends me through the ceiling.

Wake up, Klobuchar. There's a price to pay for privatizing and outsourcing the government. The public's safety and welfare just doesn't matter to modern "public servants." We were warned about the bridge (and others) years ago and those in power chose to give tax breaks to the wealthy and fund an immoral war instead.

Seventy-seven percent of Minnesotans are willing to pay higher taxes or user fees to fund highway and transit improvements to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety. This highlights Minnesota’s significant and growing transportation problem and Minnesotans’ desire to do something about it.” – Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Report, January 2006

“In cities across Minnesota, transportation maintenance and improvement costs are contributing to increasing property taxes. And a lack of state funding has delayed critical improvement projects and repairs needed for both safety and economic vitality. As time passes, the needs and the project costs increase. “ League of Minnesota Cities

Support for Minnesota's Transportation Amendment Reaches Record Level

"Deteriorating roads and bridges, unsafe highways and intersections and limited transit options for residents in Minnesota are all serious threats to our quality of life. This amendment will provide millions of dollars every year for local governments statewide to improve critical transportation projects in their communities," said Ken Brown, Olmsted County commissioner and supporter of MBRT. Olmsted County is one of 64 counties, along with the League of Minnesota Cities, that supports the amendment. -- Minnesota Transportation Alliance
Minnesotans vote 'yes' on transportation amendment

November 8, 2006 Minneapolis — (AP) Minnesota voters locked state government into spending more money on roads and public transit, approving an amendment to the state constitution that's expected to funnel an extra $300 million a year into transportation projects.

For 17 years the "gov't can't deny ownership of bridge". They were warned in 1990 that there were structural fatigue in in that particular bridge.

Watching TV for the brief 30 seconds at the Marriott lobby, it looked to me like bridges to collapse. And a lot may collapse in the near future.

Originally Posted by freckles

Watching TV for the brief 30 seconds at the Marriott lobby, it looked to me like bridges to collapse. And a lot may collapse in the near future.

Many of them are in Texas. Jeez, maybe I'll wade across from now on.
I asked before & will ask again, where are the billions of tax $$$ going that was meant for such things as repairing bridges? Maybe some of Sen Stevenes billions of $$ in earmarks for bridges going nowhere should be diverted. Tx DOT came out yesterday & said "the $$ for highways & bridges were disbursed into other areas".

Originally Posted by Migi e!

Many of them are in Texas. Jeez, maybe I'll wade across from now on.
I asked before & will ask again, where are the billions of tax $$$ going that was meant for such things as repairing bridges? Maybe some of Sen Stevenes billions of $$ in earmarks for bridges going nowhere should be diverted. Tx DOT came out yesterday & said "the $$ for highways & bridges were disbursed into other areas".

www.iraq.com and www.richtaxbreaks.com.

The arbitrary mentioning of Texas makes me nauseous...

DA, if you listen to hate radio, you will hear the talking points the righties use here. This admin and our leadership/elected officials (dem & repug) have purposely neglected infrastructure. That allows for the concept that the services have to be privatized. By allowing for the "ineptness" of the government and failure of systems, they have an argument supporting their need to privatize everything (it's beyond our capabilities, we need to hire experts and hold them accountable if they fail.) Emergency repairs don't require the proper bid system, anyone can be hired, so they get to award no bid contracts to their cronies - politics that keeps on giving.

You just have to laugh at Leftist tolls that connect every possible bad event to Bush/Cheney. But then, what can one expect from a hate filled partisan leftist in denial and wallowing in their own profound ignorance of reality and decency.

Thank you for once more being the poster boy for the left. We appreciate that constant reminder.
:therethere:

Originally Posted by Vortex

DA, if you listen to hate radio, you will hear the talking points the righties use here. This admin and our leadership/elected officials (dem & repug) have purposely neglected infrastructure. That allows for the concept that the services have to be privatized. By allowing for the "ineptness" of the government and failure of systems, they have an argument supporting their need to privatize everything (it's beyond our capabilities, we need to hire experts and hold them accountable if they fail.) Emergency repairs don't require the proper bid system, anyone can be hired, so they get to award no bid contracts to their cronies - politics that keeps on giving.

Your denial is profound. Do you two trolls (you ans DA) really think that this is a Partisan issue? Good lord, stop drinking all that DNC kool-aid. You both sound like a pair of uninformed Leftist talking heads.

opcorn:

Originally Posted by Truth Detector

Your denial is profound. Do you two trolls (you ans DA) really think that this is a Partisan issue? Good lord, stop drinking all that DNC kool-aid. You both sound like a pair of uninformed Leftist talking heads.

Truth Deflector, didn't you see, I said it was both dems and repugs, politics as usual. There is nothing partisan in my post. You need to stop insulting and actually read posts. Differ with the issues if you feel the need, but personal attacks that are out and out WRONG are just weak and prove how lame you are.