John Mica
A Two-Year Transportation Bill? Some Say It’s a Better Deal
Last week, we reported that Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) had mused aloud at a committee hearing that perhaps a two-year transportation reauthorization was a better option in the current political and economic environment than a six-year bill. "We don't have a lot of money here," he said.
April 19, 2011
Strange Bedfellows Unite for Infrastructure Investment, Financing Tools
The “Tom and Rich Show” continued on Capitol Hill yesterday. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue and AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka joined up for yet another event to show that business and labor, which don’t agree on anything, agree on a major infusion of federal investment for infrastructure.
March 31, 2011
WSJ: Mica Says Transit Funding Will Stay “About the Same”
Update 3:35 p.m.: Transportation Committee staff says Mica has confirmed what he meant: "He was referring to the share. Keep in mind that we have no numbers or details for a bill yet -- the hearing process is not yet finished and we have not drafted a bill. He was simply speculating at this point."
March 22, 2011
“Grab a Hold of Your Shorts”: Mica and LaHood Talk Transportation Bill
This morning, House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica told transit professionals gathered at the American Public Transportation Association’s legislative conference that he’s still hoping to pass a bill out of the House by May in order to get it signed before September 30, when the current extension of SAFETEA-LU expires. “It’ll be very difficult after that,” he said. “Because of the presidential ‘happy season,’ major legislation sometimes gets left behind.”
March 15, 2011
What Boondoggle? Private Sector Wants in on HSR Action
President Obama's proposed high speed rail initiative would have the US embarking on the biggest infrastructure project since the interstate highway system. And while the significance of this effort -- and the need for more sustainable transportation options -- may be lost on a few cranky governors, it is not going unnoticed by the private sector. Indeed, while governors in Florida, Wisconsin, and Ohio have made hay about high-speed rail being a "boondoggle" that will cost their states millions, private investors at home and abroad are lining up to cash in.
March 11, 2011
The Federal Transportation Bill Is a Health Care Bill
Dr. Richard J. Jackson is Professor and Chair of Environmental Health Science in the UCLA School of Public Health. We're happy to host opinion pieces from academic and other community leaders. Contact damien@streetsblog.org if you're interested.
March 3, 2011
Mica, LaHood Stump at AASHTO Meeting
Rep. John Mica promised state DOT leaders this morning that he would deliver a six-year reauthorization bill. He said he had previously thought of advancing a shorter-term bill but transportation officials convinced him of the need for greater certainty. With the full zeal of the converted, he announced, “Anyone who talks about anything less than a six-year bill, I’ll take you outside and beat the crap out of you.”
March 2, 2011
Mica on the Next Transportation Bill: Size Matters
We caught up with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair John Mica today and asked him about the reauthorization.
March 1, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott Says He’s Not Reconsidering Florida HSR Position After All
Update, 5:00 PM Friday: Rick Scott's office just issued a statement with the subject line "Rick Scott: My position remains the same on High Speed Rail." Rather than saying he asked for more time to consider his options, he refers to LaHood's decision to extend the deadline and says:
February 25, 2011
Mica Presses for Policy Ideas at Vancouver Hearing on Next Transpo Bill
Cross-posted from BikePortland
February 22, 2011