It would be interesting if the FEDs decided that extending the Yellow line to Vancouver, WA was worth the money but widening I-5 wasn't, and they forced us to decouple the project

Holy shit. That's a lot of fucking money to ferry around 2% of the population. I see these Tri Met levies on the ballots all the time, and they always get shot down. Isn't that "democracy"? They raise fares and cut bus service, but they ALWAYS seem to get money for light rail and raises for their employees, along with the full benefits package and pension.

I say they should take a fraction of that money and buy some hybrid buses, which use less energy than the MAX and leave a smaller carbon footprint, let alone the obvious fact that they can go more places.

Then return the balance of that money to the tax payers and/or China or whoever's covering our deficit.

This would benefit the poor with increased service, and possibly a cut in fares. But this isn't about the poor, this is about giving the rail and transit unions some work by funneling our money to them, so they can turn around and contribute that money back to the politicians campaigns.

Request: Please don't ever type "transpo" again.

I'm not sure which is worse, the 3% increase in military funding or giving any more money to the colossal trainwreck that is the CRC...

You missed the groovy need bike lane on that bridge that gives you a hummer as you ride over it. Somehow money that comes from the art portion of the project budget are not considered public funds.