Of course, there's shenanigans in Washington - however, as you read on, part of the issue is yet again, since we can't cooperate as a region, we put ourselves in danger of shooting ourselves in the foot.
However, the crux of the issue THIS TIME is that some folks don't want private dollars to count as matching funds.
Excerpts of article and link below.
"Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., opposes language in the bill [[inserted at the behest of Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.) that would permit the $125 million that privately funded M1 Rail Inc. will spend on a light-rail link between Detroit's Hart Plaza and New Center to be used as local matching funds required for the city's plan to extend the line from the New Center to Eight Mile Road for another estimated $300 million."
"The odds of getting federal money increase if such an authority is in place, versus a single local municipality or group, Hertel said.
“If it's a regional project, it has a much better chance of qualifying for federal dollars,” he said, noting that U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reiterated that to him during LaHood's recent visit to Detroit. "
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...1/311029996/-1
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