Today’s Headlines
(ed. note. Streetsblog Capitol Hill will be on a quieter schedule until Tuesday -- but stay tuned for some coverage from Ryan Avent and other great contributors.)
September 25, 2009
Obama Chooses Trucking Industry Lobbyist to Regulate Truckers
The White House's choice of trucking lobbyist Anne Ferro to head the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) -- the agency charged with preventing truck crashes -- prompted consternation yesterday from a senior Democrat on the Senate committee that must approve the nomination.
September 24, 2009
LaHood Praises NYC But Shrugs at Transport Reform to Empower Cities
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised the New York City area's clean-transportation strategy today in a speech to the region's metropolitan planning organization (MPO), promising a stronger focus on urban priorities even as he all but ruled out two reforms long sought by the nation's cities.
September 24, 2009
Deja Vu: Congress Could Put Off Deal on Transport Bill Until Next Month
After a day of twists and turns, the House yesterday approved a three-month extension of the current law that governs spending on the nation's transit, bridges, and roads. Yet the 335-85 vote obscures an ongoing clash between the House and Senate that could extend into a fourth straight month.
September 24, 2009
Today’s Headlines
Sen. Schumer (D-NY) calls for his chamber to back the House’s $4B high-speed rail proposal (WTEN-TV) Oops, Nevada Gov. Gibbons (R) — turns out you haven’t really locked down that federal money for a mag-lev train (LV Sun) Census data shows percentage of workers commuting by transit rising by 0.1 percent annually (Dow Jones) New … Continued
September 24, 2009
Streetsblog Capitol Hill Q&A With Leon Krier
Architect Leon Krier has been dubbed the godfather of new urbanism. His work on the U.K.'s Poundbury development project, spearheaded by Prince Charles, has made the Luxembourg-born Krier one of the world's most talked-about urban planners.
September 23, 2009
House Voting Today on Transport Law Extension — Or Not?
(ed. note: This post has been updated to reflect late-breaking news as of Wednesday afternoon.)
September 23, 2009
Today’s Headlines
More coverage of yesterday’s compelling new report on transit’s emissions-reduction benefits (AP, Tampa Trib, Austin Biz Journ) LaHood’s candid answer to a question about when Georgia will get high-speed rail: when the state “gets its act together” and gives greater support to transit (AJC) National safety regulators warn transit systems nationwide to watch out for … Continued
September 23, 2009
Business Lobby to Senate: No, Stimulus Won’t Do Enough for Transport
As the Senate backs up the White House's push for an 18-month delay in approving a new federal infrastructure bill, one of its major arguments is that the economic stimulus law's $48 billion in transportation money would help tide the nation over until long-term legislation could be passed.
September 22, 2009
New Report: 10% Transit Growth Would Help Meet House Climate Target
A 10 percent annual increase in U.S. transit ridership would reduce CO2 emissions by 180 million tons each year, taking the nation halfway to the target set by the House climate change bill within three years, according to a report [PDF] released today by Environment America and the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
September 22, 2009