Announced on Jan. 13 by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the federal government will now evaluate transit funding based on factors such as livability and economic development, rather than strict economics. At the same time, he also recommended an expansion of the Transportation Investment Generating Recovery (TIGER) program, which provides $1.5 billion in funding for projects including streetcars.

“Our new policy for selecting major transit projects will work to promote livability rather than hinder it,” LaHood told attendees at the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting. “We want to base our decisions on how much transit helps the environment, how much it improves development opportunities and how it makes our communities better places to live.”

http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2010/01/15/New-federal-policy-may-favor-Boise-streetcar-project

I heard that the Orchard overpass is gonna cost $165 million. I doubt we’ll realize much revenue from that. But even if we get half of what Portland realized, a billion dollars over ten years, it would make the project worthwhile and help pull our economy out of the doldrums. I’m cautiously optimistic.

I’m a thinking that TJ IS listening to the voters. His opponent ran hard against the trolley and he was trounced.

TJ’s vote is irrelevant anyway. Beiter already has the necessary votes to pass the streetcar, TJ knows that, so he can appear to ride the fence and pander.

The city is not listening to any input at all from the public because their minds are already made up. The ONLY chance of putting the brakes on this is to complain to Congressman Mike Simpson. He at least has demonstrated a willingness to listen to input, and he can make recommendations as to the federal grant award.

More info at http://noboisestreetcar.blogspot.com

Do you have a feel for the chance of the Feds awarding Boise the $40 million grant? Is is 20% or 80%. If is is low, all this caterwauling might well have been for naught.

But I am betting if the award is not gotten, the City will start planning/selling the N-South route with longer term funding.

EDITOR NOTE–Can’t imagine the Feds putting Boise ahead of NYC, Boston, Philly, D.C., Chicago, St. Louis, L.A., etc. when it comes to mass transit investment. However, as long as Team Dave keeps pushing for the project w/o voter approval, we all need to remain vigilant. They seem to view silence as approval for anything.

Reminder “allowing lawyers to become politicians and create laws and regualtions to benifit themselves is no different than having the fox guard the hen house”

Thanks so much for your email. I appreciate your comments and take
them to heart.

My position has been misstated on The Guardian’s website. Keep in mind that I signed the initiative for a vote in October and advocated for its passage. I did my part to contribute to its success.
If someone starts a new petition, I will sign it again. And if it
obtains the small number of signatures necessary to request a public vote on the Streetcar, I will support such a vote in Council, as well.
Again, that would show the public will exists for a vote. Without this initiative, I do not believe it would pass in Council as I am only one of six votes.

I remain undecided on the streetcar until I see the results of federal funding, the recommendations from the task force, and we go through a
process of broad public input.

Thanks so very much for your email.
TJ Thomson

Untamed Shrew: speling erors are easy to make online, everybody makes them, even pros. Personal attacks don’t solve problems.

Thank you.