Posted on 03/22/2009 2:45:06 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the federal government has to look at raising the gasoline tax to pay for public works improvements if the public supports paying for them, according to a "Meet the Press" interview that aired Sunday.
The Republican governor appeared on the NBC show with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell to advocate for more federal public works spending as part of a coalition they formed last year. The interview was taped Friday.
Host David Gregory asked Schwarzenegger whether an increase in the federal 18.4-cent per gallon gasoline tax is an appropriate way to raise money for such projects.
"I think one has to look at it," Schwarzenegger said. "That is the next question, maybe, how do you finance all of this? But I think the important thing is that there's a willingness amongst the people to pay for it."
The governor added that such projects could also rely partly on private capital through "public-private partnerships." Schwarzenegger won an expansion in California's use of such financing agreements as part of the February budget he signed.
Schwarzenegger, Bloomberg and Rendell pitched infrastructure investment as a way to create jobs during the recession. While the $787 billion federal stimulus package approved last month contains an estimated $150 billion for various forms of infrastructure, the three leaders said the national deficiency is $1.6 trillion.
"That is really something that is very important for the economy in order for the economy to thrive and live up to 100 percent of its potential," Schwarzenegger said. "You need to move people and goods around very quickly, so if that falls behind, the economy falls behind."
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Maybe the federal gubment should consider deporting Aunoel!
Hey...Ahnald...if you want to build infrastructure in KKKalifornya, raise your own damn taxes...
Stay the hell out of my back pocket.
Not a problem for you is it Mr. Million Dollar Movieman. Some of us barely making it can’t be burdened with a gas tax.
Everytime I hear this a**hole open his mouth I have to stand up and say I NEVER VOTED FOR HIM!!!!
I tried to tell Republicans and Conservatives I talked to in my stae during the recall election of ‘03 to vote YES on the recall and to vote for Tom McClintock as their choice replace Davis, not Scwratzenegger. I tried to tell them Arnold was a Lib. No one believed me. The all just thought it would be “cool” if the Terminator and Conan the Barbarian was our governor. Idiots, all of them! They all got what they deserved with Arnold. I hope they enjoy their tax increases.
In 2006 I actually cast my vote for Phil Angeledis, Arnold’s very Liberal challanger. I figured either way I was getting a falming Lib, so I voted for the out of the closet Lib.
Arnold, like Obama, won on his celebrity. As far as the voters were concerned, policies be damned, they loved the celebrity of it all.
If we keep voting like this, we deserve to see our nation collapse and our liberties go out the window.
Such a shame seeing him turn into such a quivering and pathetic liberal mass. That should be a warning to anyone contemplating a relationship with the Kennedys.
After years of dipping it in a Kennedy he’s finally become one of them.
I am glad I dont live in Ca any longer.
I agree—I hope every member of congress votes for higher gas taxes. Then, we can vote every damn one of them out of office!
Ahnold is probably right, I mean, look at the great job he’s done with California’s economy..../sarcasm
What? Which people is this idiot talking about? I know he is not talking about me! I have had enough!
Why do we need to spend money on roads, if we’re not going to be able to afford the gas?
Shut up, Arnold. Simply shut up!
OMG, I truly dislike that man.
My son in San Diego has been talking about getting a motorcycle because of gas prices. I’ve seen yall’s traffic. SHUT UP ARNOLD!
this is why I dont donate to teh GOP anymore, they put up with leaders in the party advocating this junk. High time the GOP kit out the filth, and get committed conservatives to lead. bye bye GOP unless you kick them out
I propose that all Hollywood actors pay 98% tax on the ridiculous salaries they get for appearing in those crappy movies and sitcoms. Nt only would that fix pot holes, that would reduce a lot of the "global warming" carbon they produce flying around in their private jets they park in their yards like normal people park their cars.
Cause he doesn’t have the nads to raise Caleeforneeya’s?
yesterday we had the feds threatening to control private company compensation (banks and more).
now we have the feds controlling the price of fuel
tomorrow????
There was an article in the SF Chronicle today suggesting Arnold might run against Boxer for the Senate in 2010. It really would not make much difference who wins. He has been a major disappointment.
I would suggest we find a way to “excommunicate” him from the Republican Party - but I am afraid it is far too late.
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