The Gas Tax: A Trip Back in Legislative Time …
As Tax Day prompts a rush of political rallies and media coverage, it's worth looking back at the history of the federal levy that helps pay for transportation projects: the gas tax.
April 15, 2010
Today’s Headlines
LaHood’s non-binding statement of support for biking and walking: still unpopular among conservatives, truckers (AP) Electric car companies pressing for a new round of subsidies from Washington (WSJ) When is the Senate climate bill hitting public view? Not on Earth Day, says Sen. Graham (R-SC), who’s concerned about “mixed messages” (Nat Jrnl via @drgrist) Could … Continued
April 15, 2010
Feds’ Record on Transport Public-Private Partnerships Prompts Skepticism
When it comes to creative transportation financing in an age of rising red ink, public-private partnerships (PPPs) are one of the most popular ideas on the table in Washington. Rail planners in Denver and Dallas are exploring the strategy to speed progress on new lines, and the White House's proposed $4 billion infrastructure fund could provide seed money for PPPs all over the country.
April 14, 2010
Two Cities Exploring ‘Innovative Transport Financing’ For New Rail Lines
The House transportation committee is holding a hearing today on "innovative financing" for infrastructure projects -- a topic near and dear to lawmakers who continue to hunt for a politically feasible, sustainable strategy for funding a new six-year federal transport bill.
April 14, 2010
Gillibrand Offers $1B Plan Backing Up White House on Local Food Outlets
Her approval rating on the rise amid a difficult election battle, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined the president's campaign against childhood obesity this week by proposing $1 billion in loans and grants to build healthier neighborhood grocery stores and farmers' markets.
April 14, 2010
Today’s Headlines
Supporters of more federal transit operating aid planning nationwide advocacy day next week, staged as a “funeral” for local rail and bus service (TEN Press) LaHood hails New York Times’ Pulitzer win as a victory for distracted driving campaigners (DOT Blog) Oklahoma state DOT delays projects as federal funding from recent jobs bill has yet … Continued
April 14, 2010
Smart Growth Debate Flaring Anew in Fast-Growing Loudoun County, VA
Over the past decade, Virginia's Loudoun County has frequently ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing in the country -- a dubious honor for many local residents, who have watched their local elected officials veer from a full-speed-ahead rush of new development to an emphasis on smart growth and then back again, a dizzying back-and-forth that has revolved around competing visions for the future of an area often depicted as the quintessential exurb.
April 13, 2010
New Report Maps Link Between Overseas Transit Attacks and Domestic Risk
Transit networks around the world beefed up security measures in the wake of last month's fatal bombing of a Moscow subway car, but the relevance of circumstances and tactics used in overseas terrorist attacks to U.S. rail and bus security remains unclear, according to a new report partly funded by the U.S. DOT.
April 13, 2010
Today’s Headlines
(Photo: AP/HuffPost) A photo gallery of 9 world-class subways, including Tokyo’s, pictured above (HuffPost) An inside look at transit tunnel security in the Big Apple (AP) Toyota could face a second fine from U.S. DOT for its response to defective gas pedals (The Hill Blog) The hidden crisis of America’s decaying “soft infrastructure,” and what … Continued
April 13, 2010
New Report Puts a Price on Suburbia and Rental Housing in One U.S. City
Boston mayor Thomas Menino joined Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) today for the release of a new Urban Land Institute (ULI) report that maps the combined housing and transportation burden of living in the metro area's various neighborhoods.
April 12, 2010