$250M+ in emergency funding requested to help rebuild bridge in MN

[babylonsister]

http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070802/NEWS01/108020062/1009

Update: Oberstar introduces bill for $250 million for bridge disaster recovery
By PAMELA BROGAN Times Washington correspondent


WASHINGTON - Rep. Jim Oberstar introduced legislation Thursday seeking $250 million in emergency funding to help rebuild the I 35W bridge that collapsed in Minnesota.

Oberstar, D-Minn., chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Committee spokesman Jim Berard said the legislation was supported by the entire Minnesota delegation.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Norm Coleman, R-Minn., who are heading back to Washington after touring the disaster in Minnesota, expect to introduce similar legislation in the Senate.

The two lawmakers said they will draft legislation to seek whatever money is necessary to rebuild the bridge and highway.

Meanwhile, President Bush said in a news conference that the federal government “must respond robustly” to what he called the “terrible situation in Minneapolis.” He said he had spoken with Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The funding would be allocated to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for emergency restoration of the bridge and highway.

more...

[_testify_]

1. How much would it have cost to repair it two years ago?

When will we learn?

[LeftCoast]

2. Isn't that just about what the Bridge to Nowhere will cost?

Methinks this might put even more pressure on Sen Stevens...

[babylonsister]

5. But there were lots of people who depended on this bridge; not so

with Stevens.

[Dr.Phool]

10. Stevens will vote for it if they build it all the way to Alaska.

Otherwise, NO!!!!!

If I can't have a bridge, neither can you.

[babylonsister]

12. You made me laugh; I can just see him saying that, too! nt

[DS1]

3. What does Minneapolis actually produce?

Inquiring minds want to know

[Frosty1]

6. Fortune 500 Companies

We have 34 of them
Check your state http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/states/MN.html

[snappyturtle]

7. These companies are headquartered in the Cities:

The following list is from Wikipedia.....many more companies headquartered outside of the Cities too....also available on Wikipedia...a lot more than you'd ever probably guess. Hope this helps you inquiring mind! HA! Not too shabby for a city of only 400,000 people. Can you tell I'm partial to MN?



Target Corp. (Fortune 500 #27),
General Mills
U.S. Bancorp (Fortune 500 #143)
Xcel Energy (Fortune 500 #256)
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (Fortune 500 #319)
PepsiAmericas Inc.(Fortune 1000 #522)
Bemis Co. Inc. (Fortune 1000 #586)
The Valspar Corp (Fortune 1000 #655)
Ameriprise Financial
Piper Jaffray
Fair Isaac Corporation
BUCA, Inc.
Elire, Inc.
Bobby and Steve's Auto World
Corporate Incentives of America, Inc

Saint Paul
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (Fortune 500 #85)
3M (Fortune 500 #101)
Ecolab Inc. (Fortune 500 #455)
Securian Financial Group Inc. (Fortune 1000 #734)
Patterson Cos. (Fortune 1000 #770)
Lawson Software
Gander Mountain

[snappyturtle]

8. Delete.....duped myself!!!

[kestrel91316]

9. MN is also a BIG agricultural state. They produce FOOD.

[snappyturtle]

4. Until last December I lived in Oberstar's district.

I say, "Go get the money Jim!" At least this bridge went somewhere!

[entanglement]

11. I'm guessing timely repairs would have cost much less?

[Richard Steele]

13. They always do. nm

[Bassic]

14. Do you think Pissypants will ask them to resubmit

a "fiscally responsible" request?