The Power of the Pursestrings Shifts to a Livability Denier in the House
The transfer of power in the House of Representatives gives transportation reformers plenty to wring their hands about. The loss of James Oberstar was a shock, and folks are still synthesizing what it means to have John Mica in charge of the next transportation bill.
November 12, 2010
What Does It Take to Win a Planning Grant From the Feds?
Reconnecting America has crunched the numbers on which projects won planning grants from the feds last month. Planning awards were announced through three programs: Sustainable Communities Regional Planning (SCRPG), Community Challenge, and TIGER II.
November 11, 2010
Could a Coal-n-Highways Dem Take Oberstar’s Place on Transpo Committee?
Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) is reportedly angling for the top Democratic seat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House. Had Jim Oberstar survived the election, he would have given up the chair and become the ranking member.
November 10, 2010
Just How Lame Will This Lame Duck Be?
The GOP has named the 22 members of its transition team and it's ready to get to work. Don't expect the work for these lawmakers to include any actual law-making, though. Not till January, anyway.
November 10, 2010
Obama Still Believes in a Bipartisan Push for Infrastructure. Do You?
Last night, President Obama appeared on 60 Minutes to talk about the election results – a “shellacking,” as he’s called it – and chart the path forward. He talked a lot about infrastructure – and between the lines of some of his other comments are messages we should be paying attention to.
November 9, 2010
Wisconsin, Ohio Governors-Elect Press Ahead to Pull the Plug on Rail
Wisconsin Governor-Elect Scott Walker has pledged to kill the planned high speed rail line between Milwaukee and Madison. If current Governor Jim Doyle doesn’t beat him to it.
November 8, 2010
Eliminate Waste or Kill Good Projects? Earmark Ban Could Cut Both Ways
As the election news sunk in yesterday, President Obama sought common ground with the incoming Republican leadership. His olive branch: earmarks.
November 4, 2010
Oberstar Says Goodbye, Mica Promises Rail and a Long-Term Bill
Rep. Jim Oberstar said goodbye today after 36 years in the House, during which he helped pioneer federal support for biking and walking. "I go in peace of mind and heart, but with sadness," he said in his concession speech.
November 4, 2010
Election Results: GOP Govs Win Big, Dems Take California, Oberstar Ousted
The biggest news from last night, of course, is that the GOP won control of the House of Representatives. That means Republicans now control all the House committees, and Ohio's John Boehner -- a believer in wider highways -- will wield the Speaker's gavel. The Democrats hung on to the Senate, though, and pundits are forecasting two years of gridlock.
November 3, 2010
Election Day Finds Two Livability Champions on the Ropes
Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) will likely lose his chairmanship of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as control of the House is widely expected to shift to the Republicans after today's election. But Oberstar could also lose his seat in Congress.
November 2, 2010