Congress Stalls; Traffic Slows

Congress and the White House are debating the next transportation spending authorization bill. The cost discrepancy between the President and Congress is over $50 billion, and the President has vowed to veto anything more expensive than his proposal. Because of the disagreement and because it is an election year, all groups are considering a temporary two year, $90 billion bill. Many local projects, including the planned commuter rail line north from Salt Lake City, will be delayed if long term funding is not available. The UTA says that without a $50 million appropriation this year, it won't be able to order rail cars, begin construction and make all the preparations for a 2007 opening, costing the state not only mobility, but also construction jobs.