Roskam to 6th District: Highway infrastructure logjam not my problem

Apparently, my congressman Peter Roskam (IL 6) doesn't do significant infrastructure investment. He was the only one of Illinois' 18 congressman who wouldn't sign a bi-partisan letter to US House leadership requesting Congress end the decade long delay in a long term highway and transportation infrastructure projects that will employ hundreds of thousands while re-building our crumbling infrastructure. As a 42 year veteran of the transportation industry, I can attest how vital, vibrant infrastructure is to our economic well being. Co-sponsors of the letter, Democrat Dan Lipinski (IL 3) and Republican Reid Ribble (WI 8) as well as 298 other House members of both parties get it. Here's what the letter said in part:

"We are troubled by the significant uncertainty that has plagued federal highway and transit policy in recent years. In the last decade, there have been nine short-term extensions of highway and transit programs. This kind of uncertainty impedes economic growth and makes it difficult for our country to fulfill its competitive potential. The ninth extension is due to expire May 31. Now is the time to end the cycle of short-term extensions that kick the can down the road. We support efforts to develop a long-term sustainable revenue source for our nation's transportation network as soon as possible."

Least you think Congressman Roskam is not interested in infrastructure, consider his fevered support of the XL Keystone Pipeline. XL will speed transportation of the world's most toxic oil through and around our vital heartland aquifers. Of course, Roskam knows XL will never get through a principled presidential veto. But while bridges and roads crumble around him, he'll have a principled talking point for his next re-election campaign.