The podcast discusses the clash between House Speaker Tip O’Neill and President Ronald Reagan over federal funding for The Big Dig. It explores the power of local politics and the controversy surrounding funding for the Central Artery project. It highlights the persistence of Fred Salvucci in securing funding and the lack of progress in passing a highway bill. The breakdown of consensus in infrastructure development and the unexpected fight against environmentalists and activists are also mentioned.
The podcast explores the political battles and challenges faced in getting the Big Dig project approved and funded, highlighting the influential role of Tip O'Neill in garnering support.
The episode delves into the earmarking controversy and the collapse of the bipartisan consensus on infrastructure funding, showcasing the clash between Democrats and Republicans over earmarks.
Deep dives
The Big Dig: The Last Major Project Funded Under the Interstate Program
The podcast episode explores the story of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, also known as the Big Dig, which was the last major project funded under the Interstate Program. The episode highlights the political battles and challenges faced in getting the project approved and funded. It discusses the pivotal role of Tip O'Neill, the Speaker of the House, and his influence in garnering support for the project. The podcast also delves into the bipartisan nature of highway funding at that time and how it gradually shifted towards more partisan politics. Additionally, it addresses the consequences of the veto by President Reagan and the subsequent efforts to override it. The episode concludes with the passing of the highway bill and the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the project's approval.
The Earmarking Controversy and the Political Fallout
The podcast episode delves into the earmarking controversy surrounding the Central Artery Project and its impact on the broader debates over federal spending. It discusses how earmarks, including funding for the project, became a target of criticism and opposition from Reagan and fiscal conservatives. The episode explores the tensions between Democrats who viewed earmarks as a legitimate way to secure funding for vital projects and Republicans who saw it as excessive spending. It highlights the clash of philosophies and the eventual collapse of the bipartisan consensus on infrastructure funding.
The High-Stakes Senate Vote and Reagan's Veto
The podcast episode recounts the dramatic Senate vote that determined the fate of the highway bill and the Central Artery Project. It reveals how the vote initially fell short of the required threshold for overriding Reagan's veto, but subsequent maneuvers led to a change in Sanford's vote and a final tally in favor of the override. The episode highlights the personal lobbying efforts by Reagan and the intense negotiations that took place to secure the necessary votes. It emphasizes the significance of the override and the implications for the future of highway funding and infrastructure politics.
The Aftermath and Challenges Ahead
The podcast episode examines the aftermath of the highway bill's passage and the challenges that awaited the project's proponents, particularly Fred Savucci. It discusses how Savucci had to navigate battles against environmentalists, local residents, and anti-highway activists, despite achieving the funding victory. The episode highlights the unexpected nature of this opposition and compares it to the anti-highway movements of the 1960s. It concludes with a reflection on the legacy of the Big Dig and the changing dynamics of infrastructure politics in the United States.
The Big Dig needs federal funding. House Speaker Tip O’Neill is determined to get it; President Ronald Reagan is determined to stop it – setting up a final showdown in one of the great political rivalries of the 20th century.
Credits:
Host and scriptwriter: Ian Coss
Executive Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Producers: Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss
Editor: Lacy Roberts
Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Leydon
Fact Checker: Lisa Wardle
Scoring and Music Supervision: Ian Coss
Project Manager: Meiqian He
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