Jindal’s Not Alone: Guvs Who Shunned Stimulus Warm to High-Speed Rail
Think Progress took note yesterday of a change of heart from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), who blasted the economic stimulus law for its $8 billion in "wasteful spending" on high-speed rail -- only to later seek $300 million of that money for a rail link between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
August 20, 2009
Stimulus Spotlight: Oregon’s Solar Highway
Washington's normally frenetic pace slows down in August, when humid
weather and the absence of Congress combine to give the capital some
recharging time.
August 20, 2009
As “Cash for Clunkers” Sputters, a Privately Funded Spinoff Picks Up
The U.S. DOT began signaling yesterday that it would bring the "cash for clunkers" program to an end amid growing unease from auto dealers about the government's slow pace of reimbursement and General Motors' decision to begin fronting "clunkers" repayments to its own salesmen.
August 20, 2009
Today’s Headlines
New uptick in female drunk driving prompts action from U.S. DOT (CBS) Gov. Bobby Jindal’s high-speed rail hypocrisy (ThinkProgress via Yglesias) Lack of will in Washington to raise the federal gas tax prompting Arkansas to consider a hike (Ark. News) Florida governor’s office fires back at House transport committee: We’re chasing the stimulus money as … Continued
August 20, 2009
Climate Change and Health Care: A Tale of Two Polls
As health care reform remains the No. 1 item on Washington's agenda, the brewing Senate battle over climate change legislation -- which has the potential to dramatically reshape transportation policy -- is remaining in the background.
August 19, 2009
“Cash for Clunkers” Coming to a Close?
The Obama administration plans to close the door on the politically popular and environmentally slipshod auto trade-in program known as "cash for clunkers," according to a report this afternoon in the Wall Street Journal:
August 19, 2009
Crunching June Stimulus Numbers: Roads Create Pricier Jobs Than Transit
Transportation spending under the economic stimulus law created close to 15,000 jobs in June, or three times as many as were created in May, according to estimates released today by the U.S. DOT.
August 19, 2009
Carper: Climate Bill Must Focus on Transport, Not Just Power Plants
Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), chief sponsor of a plan to give green transportation 10 percent of the emissions allowances in the upcoming climate change bill, took to the pages of his home-state newspaper yesterday with an op-ed that begins with a pithy description of "the problem":
August 19, 2009
Today’s Headlines
Local coverage of T4A’s report on transit cuts (Detroit News, SF Chron, Sac Biz Journ, WaPo) Birmingham, home of PBS’ “zombie highway,” rocked by bribery guilty plea (Bloomberg) Highway projects (and transit ones, too) are stalling thanks to funding uncertainty in Congress (CQ) Ford’s new electric car can “talk” to the grid to regulate power … Continued
August 19, 2009
Know Your Transportation Lobbyists: Transit Beats Roads — Sort Of
Transportation lobbying is a complicated universe, in which multi-issue environmental groups can be as active as organizations that exist only to influence infrastructure decision-making.
August 18, 2009