Today’s Headlines
DeFazio takes aim at Obama administration’s lack of progress on new long-term federal transport bill (Roll Call) As White House publishes final version of its auto fuel-efficiency standards, the clock starts ticking for industry lawsuits (Greenwire) Drum Major Institute’s Moroz calls for a stronger federal urban policy (Times-Union) Bay Area columnists take aim at proposed … Continued
May 11, 2010
Shock or Yawn? Virginia’s GOP Governor Backs Highway User Fees
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), who has won over many conservatives by reviving the state's recognition of Confederate History Month and attempting to declare the White House health care bill invalid within its borders, today proposed to add tolls to Interstate 95 along the North Carolina border.
May 10, 2010
White House Proposes Lowering Barriers to Rail, Airline Unionizing
Rail and airline employees would face lowered barriers to unionizing under a new rule announced today by the Obama administration that would put union elections for workers in both modes of transportation on an equal footing with other industries.
May 10, 2010
Obama Administration Helps Jump-Start Two New D.C. Housing Upgrades
The federal government has long taken heat for giving short shrift to cities, and the Obama administration -- which recently lost its urban affairs chief after months of lackluster progress -- is no exception.
May 10, 2010
Today’s Headlines
LaHood heading to Japan for face-to-face talks with Toyota execs over defective autos … (LAT) … but not before getting lobbied by mag-lev train backers on a Pittsburgh visit (Trib-Review) New York state officials and CSX hold a powwow with the feds to clear up controversy over high-speed rail’s top speed (Dem-Chronicle, Buff. News) Embattled … Continued
May 10, 2010
U.S. DOT Proposes Giving Minority-Owned Firms Greater Shot at Contracts
Women- and minority-owned companies would have an easier time winning federal transportation contracts under a new rule released by the Obama administration today, which comes in the wake of complaints from social-equity advocates that such firms had received just 2 percent of infrastructure contracts awarded under last year's economic stimulus law.
May 7, 2010
Arizona Nixes Speed-Limit Enforcement Cameras
In the latest in a series of high-profile conservative moves, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's (R) administration has announced it will stop using cameras to enforce speed limits on the state's highways -- ending a program once billed as a boon to road safety that would also help raise revenue.
May 7, 2010
Today’s Headlines
Senate climate bill, with its contentious transportation section, could be coming next week even without its chief GOP author (NatJo Blogs) Tele-work bill, which would let federal employees trim transport costs by working from home, fails unexpectedly in the House (WashPost Blogs) David Roberts asks: Is the answer to the nation’s transportation problem better cars, … Continued
May 7, 2010
Centers for Disease Control: Transportation Reform is Health Reform
The connection between transportation and public health has slowly edged into the mainstream since Streetsblog Capitol Hill began covering it last year, first through a billion-dollar grant program added to Congress' sprawling health care bill and now in a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) brief that connects existing U.S. infrastructure with chronic disease, obesity, and premature deaths.
May 6, 2010
LaHood Answers GOP Critic, Soothes Dem Skeptic of Sustainability Budget
As Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood tangled with a senior GOP senator today over the White House's $500 million-plus request for its inter-agency office of sustainable communities -- a new project aimed at channeling federal energy towards local transit-oriented and smart growth plans -- an influential Democrat joined her fellow senator in raising questions about diverting highway money to the effort.
May 6, 2010