HUD: Now’s the Time to Tell Congress Why Smart Planning Matters
I don’t know how many RSVPs a HUD conference call usually gets, but everyone seemed pretty floored that a stakeholder teleconference yesterday got upwards of 400. Officials said it was a testament to the popularity of HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities and the grant programs it runs together with EPA and U.S. DOT.
April 3, 2012
Today’s Headlines
Congress Really Has to Pass a Bill Before July, But It Probably Won’t (The Hill, Transpo Issues Daily) Even In Defeat, Tax Breaks For Big Oil Is a Winning Campaign Issue For Obama (News Herald) Transit Agencies Strategize to Deal With High Gas Prices; AAA Suggests Biking or Walking (Kitsap Sun) Pay a Lot For Gas, … Continued
April 2, 2012
Live-Blogging the House Transportation Extension Debate & Vote
After a long night's wrangling over the budget, the House convened early (for them) at 9 this morning to tackle a 90-day 60-day 90-day extension of the transportation bill. Despite some fierce opposition from House Democrats who wanted to vote on the bipartisan Senate bill instead of another extension, the measure passed. We're brought you the fireworks as they happened. See below for the gory details.
March 29, 2012
Can a 100% Private Passenger Rail Line Turn a Profit?
Public-private partnerships have recently become a popular policy prescription for the prospect of reviving inter-city passenger rail.
March 27, 2012
Why Bicyclists Are Better Customers Than Drivers for Local Business
Do local and state officials tune out when you try to talk to them about bicycling? Are they unconvinced by arguments about public health, transportation options, or clean air? Do business leaders send you packing when you suggest building new bike lanes and bike parking, fearing that the loss of car parking will keep customers away?
March 23, 2012
To Change Your Community’s Streets, the Action Is in the Statehouse
Anxious about Congress messing up the federal transportation bill? There's a lot at stake in Washington, but consider this: 78 percent of transportation funds come from the state and local levels.
March 22, 2012
Why Are Three Out of Four Cyclists on the Street Men?
I’ve never thought of myself as a female cyclist. For the last 13 years, I've been a bike commuter in DC, and I figured my needs were the same needs as any cyclist. But for the last six months, I’m a biker that doesn’t bike, and that has everything to do with the fact that I’m a woman. So the Women’s Cycling Forum, which kicked off the National Bike Summit yesterday, hit home for me.
March 21, 2012
House Won’t Take Up Senate Transpo Bill as March 31 Deadline Looms
So much for bipartisanship.
March 16, 2012
Senate Amendments Promote Local (Not State) Control, Bridge Repair
The Senate is voting right now on the final amendments to the transportation bill and will consider the full bill later today. Transportation for America has put out a handy amendment tracker, reproduced below, with descriptions of each one and the final outcomes of the votes that happened yesterday. Senate leaders had already tossed out many amendments that had been introduced and agreed to consider the 30 below.
March 14, 2012