New Poll: Public Supports Congestion Tolling Over Gas Tax Hike by 2 to 1
(Graphic: HTNB) The puzzle of how to pay for new federal investments in transportation is the single greatest stumbling block facing members of Congress — should a gas tax increase be combined with a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax? How about a national infrastructure bank that leverages private capital? A poll released today by the … Continued
September 1, 2009
Today’s Headlines
Readers tee off on columnist Samuelson’s ill-informed criticisms of high-speed rail (WaPo) Days after hypocrisy charges fly, Louisiana Gov. Jindal yanks his state’s request for high-speed rail money (AP) Why carbon emissions caps and energy modernization work best as a duo (WSJ) A defense of Oberstar’s decision not to hold August town-hall meetings (PineandLakes.com) Toyota … Continued
September 1, 2009
Senate Climate Bill Delayed for Second Time
Underscoring the growing intensity of the message war over climate change, Senate environment committee chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) said in a joint statement this afternoon that they would delay the unveiling of their carbon-emissions legislation until late September:
August 31, 2009
EPA Chief Urges a More Urban Environmentalism to Fight Climate Change
With Congress returning to work next week after a month away from Washington, a national dialogue long dominated by health care is about to open to the long-awaited Senate debate on climate change.
August 31, 2009
Senator Dukakis? What Kennedy’s Loss Could Mean for Transport Policy
As the nation mourns the loss of Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), a discussion has begun over how to fill his outsized shoes, both in Massachusetts' Senate seat and atop the Senate health committee -- two vacancies that could have notable consequences for transportation policy-making.
August 31, 2009
Today’s Headlines
State-level transport safety officials embrace texting-while-driving ban (NYT) Texas toughens rules against drinking and driving, especially for teens (DMN) Privatized roadside rest stops: Coming soon? (LAT) Michigan’s in need of a fix for its transit-funding woes (Free Press)
August 31, 2009
Few Cries From Congress for a Second Resurrection of “Cash for Clunkers”
One day after the Obama administration announced it would end the "cash for clunkers" program for good, the auto-state lawmakers who championed its creation have largely aligned with the decision and refrained from pushing for a third installment of the taxpayer-subsidized auto-purchase rebates.
August 21, 2009
Know Your Transportation Lobbyists: The American Trucking Association
Earlier this week, we took a closer look at the congressional lobbying teams employed by the transport sector's biggest players, AASHTO and APTA. Today, it's time to meet the representatives of the American Trucking Association (ATA), which reported $1.32 million in lobbying spending during the first half of this year on its congressional disclosures -- more than AASHTO and APTA's combined K Street bills.
August 21, 2009
D.C. City Government Considers “Cash for Close-in Urban Living”
The nation's capital is proposing to use money from the Obama administration's economic stimulus law for a pilot program that would give grants of up to $3,000 for suburban commuters to move closer to transit or their place of work.
August 21, 2009
Today’s Headlines
“Cash for clunkers” to clunk its last on Monday at 8pm (Det. News) Oregon’s “solar highway” uses net metering for electricity; but not every program offering it is created equal (WSJ) BAE Systems, provider of NYC’s hybrid bus technology, to expand to Seattle (Automotive World) Telecommuting and flexible work hours — it’s not a congestion … Continued
August 21, 2009