McCain & Coburn: Let’s Make Roads Safer — by Slashing Safety Money
A report released today [PDF] by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), timed to coincide with debate on a $7 billion highway trust fund fix, accuses their fellow lawmakers of “raiding” the fund for transportation “pet projects.” Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (Photo: City-Data.com) What wasteful projects have drawn such scorn from the duo? … Continued
July 30, 2009
Senate Panel Backs $1.2B for High Speed Rail, $1.4B Extra For Highways
The Senate panel in charge of transportation spending has just released its version of the budget bill that passed the House last week, giving less to high-speed rail and more to highways than the lower chamber of Congress.
July 29, 2009
Your Burger or Your Car! (And More Fun with False Dichotomies)
The Washington Post's Ezra Klein, whose blog is a must-read look at the political dynamics of congressional policy-making, makes an eyebrow-raising assertion in his food column today:
July 29, 2009
Oberstar to White House: On Emissions, Back Up Your Words With Action
Appearing this morning at the release of a new report
on transportation's role in fighting climate change, House
transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) challenged the
Obama administration to back up their emissions rhetoric with action
and pass his six-year, $450 billion infrastructure bill.
July 28, 2009
The Capitol’s 10 Transportation Players to Know
Even occasional observers of the national transportation scene can
probably recognize House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar
(D-MN) or Senate environment committee chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) --
but what about the advisers who act as their eyes and ears in drafting
policy?
July 27, 2009
From the Dept. of Mixed Messages: LaHood Touts ‘Cash for Clunkers’
Two weeks ago, Ray LaHood candidly addressed
the need to reduce the nation's vehicle miles traveled in order to halt
the devastating effects of climate change. But the Transportation
Secretary had a decidedly different message today.
July 27, 2009
Lawmakers Pitch Transport Funding Ideas, From VMT to Freight Taxes
Leaders of the House transportation committee, doggedly pursuing a
six-year, $450 billion infrastructure bill this year, pressed their
case this morning before Ways and Means Committee colleagues who must
approve a new funding mechanism for their massive legislation.
July 23, 2009
Dems. in Senate Pushing Transit Into Climate Change
Addressing a climate change forum this morning, two Democrats on the
Senate environment committee said they are pushing for transit and
other green modes of transport to get 10 percent of the revenue generated by the upcoming Senate bill regulating carbon emissions.
July 22, 2009
Senate Agrees on $26.8 Billion Highway Trust Fund Rescue
The Senate took a major step forward last night in its battle
with the House over transportation funding, releasing a plan to give
$26.8 billion to the dwindling highway trust fund and -- perhaps most
importantly, for the long term -- to restore the fund's ability to keep the interest it earns.
July 21, 2009
White House Staying Quiet For Now on Transit’s Role in Climate Bill
Delivering his climate-change message to Congress yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned that fuel-efficiency advances
secured by the Obama administration would not be enough to reduce
emissions from transportation -- not without encouraging Americans to
drive less.
July 15, 2009