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 ...
Get the hell out of my party Ahnald
Higher taxes and toll roads! What an innovative scum sucking Governor we have.
HEY ARNOLD!!! STFU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He must be hanging out with our Gov Rick “perfecthair” Perry
Sheesh, that was so easy even a caveman could do it, Barbarian. Develop a brain and some ‘nads girly man.
Actually, if he were really a conservative, he would suggest that the federal govt consider not spending money they don’t have and not spending money in ways not expressly allowed under the Constitution. You know, that document that tells them what they may do.
Who would believe that an Austrian would be promoting fascism?
Gee Arnie, anything else you’d like to tax people out of doing?
I think we have finally settled that question, haven't we?
“Get the hell out of my party Ahnald”
Get the hell out of my country you communist POS!
Yep! The same bunch.
This guy makes me nostalgic for the good old days of Gray Davis.
Has he not noticed that when a tax is raised for any specific budget item the legislature just reduces the other funding for said budget item by an equal amount and spends the funds elsewhere?
Clearly so. What a disappointment the Terminator has been.
I think Arnold and his wife should have their income taxed at 90%.
Man, this Rickwad turned out to be a huge loser!! Arnold get your flabby ass out of my party and take McCain, Snowe, Collins, and Sphincter with you!
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