From Denver: Dems Discuss Funding Woes; Biden Says “Amtrak”

You know, John McCain is my friend. And I know you hear that phraseused all the time in politics. I mean it. John McCain is my friend.

We've traveled the world together. It's a friendship that goes beyondpolitics. And the personal courage and heroism demonstrated by Johnstill amazes me.

But I profoundly disagree with the directionJohn wants to take this country, from Afghanistan to Iraq, from Amtrakto veterans.

They allexpressed the need for a private-public partnership, but the questionof where to raise federal funding caused anxiety among the electedofficials.

Onekey issue was that the current system for infrastructure funding,implemented in the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, relies on gas taxesfor revenue. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) called any attempt by Congressto raise the gas tax “dead on arrival.”

ButGov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) said that with or without the gas tax somethinghad to be done to bridge the funding gap, noting that the $1.6 trillioncited by the ASCE report would only cover maintenance, not newprojects.

“WhenI became governor I had to raise $2.4 billion in taxes,” Rendell said.“When re-election came around — people aren’t stupid — one incumbentlost and she voted against the tax increase.

“This is the time we have to challenge the American people. Folks, you get what you pay for.”