February 28, 2008 ODP NewsletterIn this issue:Transportation Committee Outlines 2008 AgendaOberstar Supports Minnesota Transportation Plan Oberstar Endorses Obama for President Minnesota Caucus Turnout Blows Previous Records Support Your DFL: 8 in '08 Transportation Committee Outlines 2008 AgendaChairman Oberstar to build on successes of 2007After a successful first year in the 110th New Direction Congress, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) laid out an ambitious Committee agenda earlier this month building on the accomplishments of 2007. "The demands of our economy are so great that no single means of transportation can handle it alone. It’s time to restructure the way America moves people and products in our marketplace," Oberstar said last year in an editorial. Click here to read the entire editorial on America's future in transportation. The Committee's successes last year are in stark contrast to those of the 109th Congress, 2005-2006, before Democrats took leadership of the Committee. In 2007 alone, the Committee and its Subcommittees held 116 meetings - compared to 123 in the entire 109th Congress, and 74 pieces of legislation - a rate of nearly double the 77 in the entire previous Congress. All in all, the Committee and its Subcommittees met for 343 hours and questioned 705 witnesses. Most importantly, the Committee worked on 23 bills that had the support to pass both the House and the Senate, including the Water Resources Development Act, which had enough support to overcome a Presidential veto and became law through a Congressional override. But there is unfinished business still left to be done, including winning Senate approval of 27 pieces of legislation that cleared the House but are still waiting to be approved in the other body. These bills include reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Coast Guard, as well as the Federal Railroad Safety Act. Here are some of the goals set forth by the Committee, under their respective Subcommittees:Aviation
Oberstar Supports Minnesota Transportation PlanWashington, D.C. - Congressman Jim Oberstar has praised the newly unveiled Minnesota transportation plan as one of the best he's ever seen. "It's a realistic, futuristic investment plan that binds greater Minnesota with the metro area," said Oberstar. As Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Oberstar called the bill a "bold initiative" that will be a boost to the Minnesota economy and a wise investment for taxpayers. "It's a sustainable investment program that will create 33,000 jobs a year in the construction sector that will stay at home; they are home-grown Minnesota jobs, using Minnesota materials," Oberstar said. "State Senator Steve Murphy and Representative Bernie Lieder have crafted a bill that makes the resources available to address our most critical concerns immediately. They are also ensuring the revenue stream keep up with inflation," said Oberstar. Oberstar has been at odds with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's lack of investment and foresight in Minnesota's transportation system. "There's been an ideological mindset in the Governor's office and with our Commissioner of Transportation that somehow these roads will simply be met on their own by some deus ex machina coming in to solve the problem. Well, that's not happened." Minnesota has not increased the highway user fee for road maintenance and construction since 1988. The cost of road construction materials and labor has risen 47% since then. Congestion has been estimated to cost Minnesota's economy $1.1 billion per year, according to a 2007 study. Oberstar says those costs are a congestion tax - in the form of lost jobs and higher costs of goods and services - that the Minnesota residents ultimately end up footing. If a transportation plan is not passed, Oberstar says, "greater Minnesota will be disadvantaged, travel and tourism will be hurt, our economy will suffer.... There is a cost to failing to invest." Oberstar Endorses Obama for PresidentEarlier this month, Jim Oberstar threw his support behind Illinois Senator Barack Obama in the Democratic primary for President. Oberstar had previously supported John Edwards, leading a list of Iron Range and Duluth Democrats and union members who were also supporting the former North Carolina Senator, but when Edwards withdrew from the race, Oberstar decided to back Obama. Oberstar’s endorsement came with praise for Obama, saying he offers a "soaring image of the future of America" and gives him credit for motivating more people to vote. Minnesota Caucus Turnout Blows Previous RecordsThe voters of Minnesota lived up to all the hype and shattered previous turnout records on Super Tuesday. More than 200,000 DFLers showed up for the caucuses which delivered a landslide victory to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama who won 66% of the vote to New York Sen. Hillary Clinton’s 32%. “I’m proud of my state,” said Congressman Jim Oberstar, “and I’m proud of my party for taking such a significant role in the democratic process. I congratulate both Senators Obama and Clinton for their victories on Super Tuesday, but it’s clear that the real winners are the American people who are getting engaged in the political system in numbers we really haven’t seen before this early in a race.” The turnout so overwhelmed the system that on caucus night, Minnesota DFL Chairman Brian Melendez urged over Minnesota Public Radio that caucus attendees in line in their cars at 8 p.m. be allowed to vote. Support Your DFL: 8 in '08The Oberstar campaign, in coordination with the Minnesota DFL and other endorsed candidates, is kicking off a new program designed to build neighborhood support for the ideals and principles that govern the Democratic Party. By doing so, you will engage your friends and neighbors in solving the challenges our state and country are facing - starting this year with the 2008 election. The foundation of a healthy grassroots democracy starts with you. Help your neighbors register to vote, volunteer - and of course, vote - by pledging 8 in ’08 today. |
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