Alleviating Rural Poverty Act of 2015

[Talleyrand]

I'm interested in Blair's idea of a eco-friendly bus being used for this service? I'd love for us to to mandate a provision for one of those in this bill.

In addition, I think we should subsidize the bus service for people who do not have personal automobiles. That way, we might be able to reduce their usage altogether. I'd love to do something like that for urban areas too, but I'm not sure we'd be intruding on local authority that way.

[Talleyrand]

No one supports giving public transportation vouchers to those who do not own vehicles?

[Talleyrand]

Keep in mind the voucher would just be a discounted price for public transportation. Maybe 15% off?

[Talleyrand]

Instead of yet another bill which gives funds to the regions, why can't this be a federally administered program? As long as there was some coordination with the appropriate local authorities, I don't think it would be too much of an issue.

[Talleyrand]

Well, it depends on whether we'd provide an alternative transportation method (such as discounted taxiing) or something for the areas that people feel are not worthy of public bus transportation.

As for divvying up money to the regions again, I don't think that's necessary. This is something the DoIA can do on a more consistent basis throughout the country in coordination with local authorities. Not a fan of giving lump sums to the regions.

[Talleyrand]

What exactly are the constitutional issues that would arise from making a program like this federal?

[Talleyrand]

I'm fine with parts 2 and 3, but my issue with part 1 is I don't see how that'll necessarily reduce costs for  travelers in rural areas. In addition, they could just get around the law by extending existing routes 100 miles by following a snaking pattern through a big metropolitan area or such.

[Talleyrand]

How about they get a subsidy if they create routes in pre-approved areas designated by the DoIA?

[Talleyrand]

Does anyone have any amendments to propose to this?

[Talleyrand]

I'll sponsor Bore's amendment. Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Talleyrand]

The amendment has been adopted.

I suspend Senate rules and remove the t behind costs in clause 3. Senators have 24 hours to object.