[AmericanDave]

Let's see 600,000,000 tax dollars divided by 13,000 people: that's $46,153.84 each. How many ferry rides does that replace? Let's say $5 a crossing, that's over 9,230 rides apiece! I guess Republicans can have a "big dig" project too!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I dont think thats how the tax structure breaks down for it. It's a good idea, IMO.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Congress recently dropped its funding provisos for the bridges in Ketchikan and Anchorage, but let the state keep the money

[Kozak]

Congress recently dropped its funding provisos for the bridges in Ketchikan and Anchorage, but let the state keep the money and left it up to state officials to figure out how to spend it.

Right. So Congress basically dumped 200mil of our money in their laps, then wink wink, let Alaska decide how to spend the pork. Great fiscal oversight.

[43north]

I've heard reports that the Murkowski family owns about 30 acres less than 1/4 mile from where the Ketchikan bridge will terminate.

The more I learn about Murkowski (nepotistism, fancy jets, bridge to his own property), the more I think he is a thoroughly corrupt, conceited man who believes he can do whatever he damn well pleases as long as it benefits him or his family. Too bad that he's also a Republican.

Of course, he's had an experienced tutor: Ted Stevens.

[YouPosting2Me]

SPEND IT ON ANWAR!!!

[pointsal]

Nothing like responsible spending.

[KarlInOhio]

The "Bridge to Nowhere" is a huge argument for abolishing the federal gasoline tax and letting cities and states tax their own populations to pay for the roads they need or want. If Alaskans wants a bridge, then Alaskans can pay for the bridge out of their own money.

[dropzone]

I know it's becoming a cliche, but

STUCK ON STUPID!

applies here - if anywhere.

[KC_Conspirator]

I will actually stick up for the Alaskans. They are the only ones willing to produce oil anymore outside of Texas.

[Mr. K]

with all the starving children in america? (thats the argument they used to cut Iraq spending...)

[pabianice]

For pete's sake! It would be cheaper to buy all 100 islanders their own private launches with which to cross the channel.

[Blzbba]

Thank God for these fiscal conservatives!!

[F.J. Mitchell]

We must remember that, no where is sometimes somewhere: Somewhere as in; somewhere over the rainbow, snow birds fly, etc., etc.

[fieldmarshaldj]

We could end up losing the Governorship of AK over Murkowski's utterly inept leadership. It seems like as soon as he went to Juneau, he lost his mind.

[Selective Fire]

By the time this particular piece of pork gets to Ktn. it isn't going to be a strip of bacon.

The 200+ million that was"un-earmarked" but still sent to the state.

It now stands @ 93 million in the Governor's budget, but by the time everyone in the legislature takes bite...

You get the picture.

The bridge was horribly underfunded at 200 million - the whispered estimate is 100 million short!

93 Million isn't going to scratch the surface

[Clintonfatigued]

He doesn't deserve to be reelected.

[Clintonfatigued]

Alaska needs a conservative in the governorship.

http://www.palinforgovernor.com/

[RightWhale]

$100 million is the max that may be authorized for each project in a year since the earmarks were removed.

[Hank Rearden]

Thanks again, Republicans!

So, how's that "limited government" thingie you've been promising us for decades coming along . . . . hmmmmmm?

[Itzlzha]

Congress recently dropped its funding provisos for the bridges in Ketchikan and Anchorage, but let the state keep the money and left it up to state officials to figure out how to spend it.

Hmm...would letting the funding remain without a specific earmark be the Pro Quo for THIS Quid?

Congress May Block Plan for a Wind Farm in Nantucket Sound

From the article...

"A plan to build what could become the first large offshore wind farm in the United States would be effectively killed by a proposed amendment to a Coast Guard budget bill now making its way through Congress, people on both sides of the issue say.
The amendment, offered by Representative Don Young, Republican of Alaska, would prohibit new offshore wind facilities within 1.5 nautical miles of a shipping lane or a ferry route.
That would rule out construction of the installation, proposed for Nantucket Sound.

So...in exchange for allowing the funding to remain...with NO restrictions or earmarks...Kennedy/Kerry get the Windfarm off Nantucket killed by an Alaskan Congress-critter!

Methinks Rush or Tony Snow need to look at sources behind the scenes to see if my suspicions are true!

This looks like the Modus Operandii of RINOS, Corrupt pols, and DemonRATs like Kennedy who are the Ultimate NIMBYs!