US Infrastructure

The federal highway system needs to be maintained and expanded. The taxes earmarked for this work have been diluted by subsidizing Amtrak and allowing funds to be used via DOT grants for parks, “green space: and recreational bike-lanes and trails. Amtrak needs to be on its own. Parks, “green space” and recreational expenses need to be paid by cities, counties and states. Federal “transportation grants” for these purposes need to end.

 

Federal lands need to be returned to the States to be put to productive use. National Parks need to shrink to allow ranching, farming and fire breaks on the perimeter and to allow States to repair roads to compete for tourism. Mining, drilling and harvesting trees should resume on federal lands.

The Endangered Species Act should be reformed and reduced. Environmental groups should raise their own money to buy wildlife preserves.

 

The industries who have benefitted from federal and state subsidies need to contribute more to allow federal and state subsidies to shrink. This could include airports, sports stadiums, freight rail lines, passenger rail lines and other subsidized infrastructure.

 

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader