Finally, some good local news... Train conductors will save us! (sorry, I couldn't resist) But at least we might get something out of this... http://www.nypost.com/seven/12292008/news/regionalnews/transit_to_be_timulated_146318.htm The city's delayed mass-transit projects will get a cash boost from President-elect Barack Obama's economic-stimulus package, two New York lawmakers announced... [more]
Finally, some good local news...
Train conductors will save us! (sorry, I couldn't resist)
But at least we might get something out of this...
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12292008/news/regionalnews/transit_to_be_timulated_146318.htm
The city's delayed mass-transit projects will get a cash boost from President-elect Barack Obama's economic-stimulus package, two New York lawmakers announced yesterday.
Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who are working with Obama's transition team on details of the stimulus package through their leadership roles in Congress, said the state is expected to get $4 billion - most of it slated for mass-transit capital projects in the metro area.
"This stimulus could be a lifesaver for New York's mass-transit system," said Nadler, a senior member of the House Transportation Committee.
Obama's package is likely to allocate $20 billion to mass transportation nationwide, and New York historically has received one-fifth of national mass-transit funds, Schumer said.
Meanwhile, a top adviser to Obama said yesterday the country's slowing economy won't keep the new administration from fulfilling its plans for a middle-class tax cut.
"We feel it's important that middle-class people get some relief now," David Axelrod told NBC's "Meet the Press."
Middle-class tax cuts will be part of the new administration's stimulus plan, Axelrod said.
The incoming administration is considering tax cuts of $1,000 for couples and $500 for individuals that will be delivered by reducing the tax withheld from paychecks.
"People need money in their pockets to spend," Axelrod said. "That'll get our economy going again."
The slowing economy also means that it's more important than ever to eliminate President Bush's tax cuts, Axelrod said.
"It's something we plainly can't afford moving forward," he said. "Whether it expires or we repeal it a little bit early we'll determine later, but it's going to go. It has to go."
[less]
