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Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which included a provision authored by Congressman Henry Waxman to lift the prohibition against federal involvement in the construction of the “Subway to the Sea” (less we not forget that it was Waxman himself that authored the original ban in the 1980s). We've reported on this before and it was likely to pass, but it's nice to know that day is here.
What does this mean for the Mayor Villaraigosa, who used the Wilshire Corridor Subway as one of his campaign platforms? It means party!!!, err, we mean "celebration," as a press release from his office states. And that most likely means, a very enthusiastic press conference that will take place this morning.
Kudos to the Mayor for making a big step in this long process, one that will go beyond his tenure. Now, if he can only make five billion dollars appear with ease to fund the damn thing.
Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist