Intel Corp (INTC)

[Andy Grave]

......more on the "must pass" Highway bill......of course... not until all this PORK gets included

The highway bill will include a taxpayer-funded bailout for the Highway Trust Fund that will lead to more debt and higher taxes for Americans. In fact, it increases spending by 13% and includes $819 million for bike paths and highway beautification!

Instead of devolving the highway program to the states as Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Congressman Ron DeSantis (R-FL) have proposed, or even cutting spending on mass transit and Davis-Bacon wage mandates, Republicans plan to transfer money from the general fund to bail out the program.

Think that's the worst of it? Not even close. These so-called "must-pass" bills always become legislative Christmas trees that politicians use to hang their special interest ornaments.

According to Roll Call, the highway bill includes language that violates the earmark ban by creating a new process that allows the leaders of the House and Senate transportation committees to approve or reject specific transportation projects after the highway bill has been passed.

Lawmakers will use this new authority to reopen the congressional favor factory so they can dole out taxpayer money to their campaign contributors.