Deron Lovaas, Federal Transportation Policy Director, Washington, D.C.

Citizens across the country are calling Congress right now, urging them to deep-six the ill-conceived transportation bill cobbled together by House Republican Leadership. There's even a handy toll-free number -- just dial 1-877-573-7693.

There are a number of reasons to do so, as the New York Times noted today. There's also a lot of dissembling from backers of the bill, including six whoppers described by streetsblog. And the funding is clearly just a shell game. First, it was drilling. Then, it was evisceration of dedicated funding for public transportation. Now? TIme to go after federal employee retirement support. The finance title for this monstrosity provides strong evidence that House Leaders are making this up as they go along, and their stumbling and bumbling is so inept it has attracted special ire from conservatives. Legislating is about addition, about building support. But this bill started with paltry backing and headed down from there.

And here's another reason to oppose the bill, if you're interested in transportation investments: 45 of 50 states lose money compared to the status quo under this bill. The only winners are Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska and ...

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