Hmm. Can you say CORPORATE WELFARE? Texas has a state environmental program

Eighty percent of the roughly $1.5 million cost of the first 14 locomotives is being paid out of a state environmental program funded by vehicle registration fees. After that, the state and BNSF will split the cost 50-50.

Burlington Northern and rival Union Pacific Corp. have received more than one-fourth of all the dollars granted from the state emissions-reduction program. Fort Worth-based Burlington Northern had received grants totaling $39.6 million through Jan. 26, and Omaha, Neb.-based Union Pacific had been awarded $94.6 million, according to information from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Company officials say it's a fair deal. They say that with the taxpayers' help, they will be able to move more quickly to replace older locomotives that guzzle more diesel and produce more emissions.

In the past, I've heard a lot of people gripe about PEOPLE getting welfare for their families and I have no doubt there are those who take advantage of the system. But heck, that type of thing PALES in comparison to the money that gets willingly handed over by lawmakers for corporations.