Streetsblog Capitol Hill
In Search of Stimulus on Capitol Hill
While many cautious economists are at pains to point out that the bulk of the funds in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -- that is, the stimulus -- have not yet been spent, others are arguing that the economy is significantly weaker than was expected when the bill was passed and a larger fiscal boost should be considered.
July 10, 2009
Taking GOP Graphics a Bit Too Seriously
Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO), one of his chamber's leading opponents of action against climate change, has swiped the hilariously complicated "chart" that his House colleagues used last month in a futile attempt to portray emissions reductions as just too complex for the American people to stomach.
July 10, 2009
Did Pelosi Just Side With Oberstar on the Transpo Bill?
That's the implication of a Roll Call story today that states: "Momentum Builds for Transportation Bill."
July 9, 2009
Top 20 Metro Areas Get 28% of Road Stimulus, 61% of Transit Stimulus
Cities are getting a disproportionately small share of the road money given out by the White House's stimulus plan, but the nation's top 20 metro areas are doing better when it comes to transit -- taking in 61 percent of the transit stimulus cash allocated so far, according to an analysis by Streetsblog Capitol Hill.
July 9, 2009
Boxer Delays Senate Climate Bill Until September
This was supposed to be a big week for action on climate change in the Senate -- but it's ending with Republicans rubbing their hands in glee as the Environment and Public Works Committee delays its unveiling of legislation on carbon emissions.
July 9, 2009
Urban Traffic Report Sparks Clever Headlines, But Little Transit Talk
The latest edition of the Texas Transportation Institute's influential urban mobility report was released today, prompting a flurry of mainstream media coverage focused largely on a faux-ironic theme that would do Alanis Morrissette proud -- the bad economy is giving us less traffic!
July 8, 2009
What Happens Once You Get Off the Train?
Economist Tyler Cowen responds to my recent take on Ed Glaeser's recent HSR column:
July 8, 2009
Lawmakers Aim to Bring ‘Sustainable Communities’ From Talk to Action
When three agencies in President Obama's Cabinet -- DOT, Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency -- banded together to promote "sustainable communities," the initiative sounded promising but somewhat lacking in concrete ideas.
July 8, 2009
Why Road Builders Want a Transportation Bill Now
The clash between the Obama administration and senior House Democrats over passing a new federal transportation bill can be viewed on a number of levels: as an commentary on the lack of political will to tackle infrastructure, as proof that Washington is finally serious about climate change, and certainly as a spur to find new revenue sources.
July 7, 2009
Getting the Message
Two things were clear at this morning's hearing of the Senate Banking Committee concerning green investments in public transportation. First, transportation experts and leading legislators are very much in agreement on how transportation spending should change. And second, Randal O'Toole's days as anything other than an anachronism are numbered.
July 7, 2009