Posted on 03/22/2009 2:45:06 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the federal government has to look at raising the gasoline tax to pay for public works improvements if the public supports paying for them, according to a "Meet the Press" interview that aired Sunday.
The Republican governor appeared on the NBC show with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell to advocate for more federal public works spending as part of a coalition they formed last year. The interview was taped Friday.
Host David Gregory asked Schwarzenegger whether an increase in the federal 18.4-cent per gallon gasoline tax is an appropriate way to raise money for such projects.
"I think one has to look at it," Schwarzenegger said. "That is the next question, maybe, how do you finance all of this? But I think the important thing is that there's a willingness amongst the people to pay for it."
The governor added that such projects could also rely partly on private capital through "public-private partnerships." Schwarzenegger won an expansion in California's use of such financing agreements as part of the February budget he signed.
Schwarzenegger, Bloomberg and Rendell pitched infrastructure investment as a way to create jobs during the recession. While the $787 billion federal stimulus package approved last month contains an estimated $150 billion for various forms of infrastructure, the three leaders said the national deficiency is $1.6 trillion.
"That is really something that is very important for the economy in order for the economy to thrive and live up to 100 percent of its potential," Schwarzenegger said. "You need to move people and goods around very quickly, so if that falls behind, the economy falls behind."
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Get the hell out of my party Ahnald
Higher taxes and toll roads! What an innovative scum sucking Governor we have.
HEY ARNOLD!!! STFU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He must be hanging out with our Gov Rick “perfecthair” Perry
Sheesh, that was so easy even a caveman could do it, Barbarian. Develop a brain and some ‘nads girly man.
Actually, if he were really a conservative, he would suggest that the federal govt consider not spending money they don’t have and not spending money in ways not expressly allowed under the Constitution. You know, that document that tells them what they may do.
So much for Pragmatism!
Who would believe that an Austrian would be promoting fascism?
Gee Arnie, anything else you’d like to tax people out of doing?
I think we have finally settled that question, haven't we?
“Get the hell out of my party Ahnald”
Get the hell out of my country you communist POS!
Yep! The same bunch.
This guy makes me nostalgic for the good old days of Gray Davis.
Has he not noticed that when a tax is raised for any specific budget item the legislature just reduces the other funding for said budget item by an equal amount and spends the funds elsewhere?
Clearly so. What a disappointment the Terminator has been.
I think Arnold and his wife should have their income taxed at 90%.
Man, this Rickwad turned out to be a huge loser!! Arnold get your flabby ass out of my party and take McCain, Snowe, Collins, and Sphincter with you!
Maybe the federal gubment should consider deporting Aunoel!
Hey...Ahnald...if you want to build infrastructure in KKKalifornya, raise your own damn taxes...
Stay the hell out of my back pocket.
Not a problem for you is it Mr. Million Dollar Movieman. Some of us barely making it can’t be burdened with a gas tax.
Everytime I hear this a**hole open his mouth I have to stand up and say I NEVER VOTED FOR HIM!!!!
I tried to tell Republicans and Conservatives I talked to in my stae during the recall election of ‘03 to vote YES on the recall and to vote for Tom McClintock as their choice replace Davis, not Scwratzenegger. I tried to tell them Arnold was a Lib. No one believed me. The all just thought it would be “cool” if the Terminator and Conan the Barbarian was our governor. Idiots, all of them! They all got what they deserved with Arnold. I hope they enjoy their tax increases.
In 2006 I actually cast my vote for Phil Angeledis, Arnold’s very Liberal challanger. I figured either way I was getting a falming Lib, so I voted for the out of the closet Lib.
Arnold, like Obama, won on his celebrity. As far as the voters were concerned, policies be damned, they loved the celebrity of it all.
If we keep voting like this, we deserve to see our nation collapse and our liberties go out the window.
Such a shame seeing him turn into such a quivering and pathetic liberal mass. That should be a warning to anyone contemplating a relationship with the Kennedys.
After years of dipping it in a Kennedy he’s finally become one of them.
I am glad I dont live in Ca any longer.
I agree—I hope every member of congress votes for higher gas taxes. Then, we can vote every damn one of them out of office!
Ahnold is probably right, I mean, look at the great job he’s done with California’s economy..../sarcasm
What? Which people is this idiot talking about? I know he is not talking about me! I have had enough!
Why do we need to spend money on roads, if we’re not going to be able to afford the gas?
Shut up, Arnold. Simply shut up!
OMG, I truly dislike that man.
My son in San Diego has been talking about getting a motorcycle because of gas prices. I’ve seen yall’s traffic. SHUT UP ARNOLD!
this is why I dont donate to teh GOP anymore, they put up with leaders in the party advocating this junk. High time the GOP kit out the filth, and get committed conservatives to lead. bye bye GOP unless you kick them out
I propose that all Hollywood actors pay 98% tax on the ridiculous salaries they get for appearing in those crappy movies and sitcoms. Nt only would that fix pot holes, that would reduce a lot of the "global warming" carbon they produce flying around in their private jets they park in their yards like normal people park their cars.
Cause he doesn’t have the nads to raise Caleeforneeya’s?
yesterday we had the feds threatening to control private company compensation (banks and more).
now we have the feds controlling the price of fuel
tomorrow????
There was an article in the SF Chronicle today suggesting Arnold might run against Boxer for the Senate in 2010. It really would not make much difference who wins. He has been a major disappointment.
I would suggest we find a way to “excommunicate” him from the Republican Party - but I am afraid it is far too late.
It’s official- Arnold Schwarzenegger has no credibility as Governor anymore. He should leave public life.
Hey Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Go back to Austria to your backward village of Graz.
Maybe you can clean up that river running through the middle of your town that stinks because it is full of human sewage/waste.
Save the government at all costs! Says the bloated steroid pigmeister.
“You need to move people and goods around very quickly, so if that falls behind, the economy falls behind.”
Yes, and of course you do this by taking money out of people’s pockets and giving it to the government. I think he dropped the weights on his head too many times.
Two things:
1. If they get this gas tax, watch the money carefully, to make sure it even goes to roads, and doesn’t go into some slush fund as with Social Security.
2. They don’t really want a lot of people driving anyway. Yes, gas is going to go up again, they will make sure of that. Liberals can’t allow these cheap prices to continue, with the result of people to starting back up buying the big vehicles they like to drive.
The impeached ex president, Bill Clinton put a nearly five cent tax on gasoline.. look how well that has worked out...Get out of california Arnold...
Go jump in the lake Gov.
Get the hell out of my party Ahnald
Schwarzenegger should consider getting out of politics.
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