Lowballing Government Project Costs
Richard Rider isn't happy with a sales tax increase proposal in San Diego. He included a quote in his rant from former Speaker of the state assembly and Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown:
News that the Transbay Terminal is something like $300 million over budget should not come as a shock to anyone.We always knew the initial estimate was way under the real cost. Just
like we never had a real cost for the Central Subway or the Bay Bridge
or any other massive construction project. So get off it.In the world of civic projects, the first budget is really just a
down payment. If people knew the real cost from the start, nothing would
ever be approved.The idea is to get going. Start digging a hole and make it so big,
there's no alternative to coming up with the money to fill it in.
Think of our current high speed rail project/ boondoggle or any other bond issues we vote on. They're business as usual.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 9:00 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Yup, we don't need no stinking infrastructure improvements. Leave them potholes alone. They'll grow on you. Bridges and terminals? Who needs them.
Probably right about "down payment" idea, but what, really, is the alternative? Privatize it all? I hear those private prisons are a great investment for anyone's portfolio.
The money for infrastructure has been collected constantly, but abused. They don't need more to abuse, they need to be held accountable.
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