Democrats, Republicans both try to take credit for funding of Alameda Corr

San Bernardino, CA, 9/19/2005

Democrats, Republicans both try to take credit for funding of Alameda Corridor East project
Lisa Friedman, Washington Bureau


WASHINGTON - Southern California's most powerful congressional Republicans had to rely on a Minnesota Democrat to get money for their top-priority Alameda Corridor East project in a recent highway bill because fellow GOP leaders would not pony up the cash, lawmakers confirmed last week.

Local officials had sought $900 million for the massive freight-rail network running through Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties, needed to open the logjam between the nation's busiest seaport and railroads.
Ultimately they landed just a fraction of that amount $167.4 million but, in claiming credit, Southland Republicans have not mentioned they were responsible for less than 8 percent.

"The money that is in the bill for Alameda Corridor came out of the Democratic allocation of funding in the split between Democrats and Republicans,' said Rep. James L. Oberstar, the ranking member on the House Transportation Committee and a longtime supporter of the freight project.
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