Obama vs. Byrd - The Battle over Corridor H

An interesting battle is shaping up in the future of Corridor H in West Virginia - and it involves the President and maybe the most influential United States Senator when it comes to highway projects.

The battle is over $10 million in funds for Corridor H in the 2009-2010 Federal Budget. Obama wants to eliminate it - as part of $17 billion in wasteful spending cuts. Byrd - obviously wants to keep it.

The $10 million was to fund additional construction of the road from Davis, WV to Forman, WV.

Will this be a death blow to Corridor H? Not at all - First, the budget has to be approved by both houses of Congress - and Byrd can easily reinsert the funding for Corridor H into it. Byrd has the support of a number of West Virginia Congressmen and fellow Seantor Jay Rockefeller.

Also, Governor Joe Manchin directed $21 million of federal stimulus money towards the highway.

Considering Byrd's power in the Senate - I think the $10 million in additional funds will return to the budget, but with the slowly growing public uprising against the budget deficit and wasteful spending - could this become one of the top targets in the upcoming debate?

For More:
Obama, Byrd at odds over Corridor H -Lincoln Walks at Midnight
Corridor H funding eliminated from Obama Budget - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

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