Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
457108139_3eb15e5a4f.jpgMARTA train in Atlanta, Georgia, where officials are studying the link between transit and job growth.

How could federal job creation programs be greener? Making access to public transit a priority would be one way.

A report called "Uncle Sam's Rusty Toolkit," released today by Good
Jobs First
, details the group's finding that federal job-creation
programs fail in several key ways to meet "best practices" standards
already used by states and cities — including locating work sites in
places accessible to public transit.

The group's press release stated, in part:

"The federal government can promote better jobs, protect taxpayers, andreduce greenhouse gas emissions by simply taking some lessons fromstates and cities," said Greg LeRoy, Executive Director of Good JobsFirst. "These well-established safeguards are consistent withPresident-elect Obama’s stated goal of reforming programs to make themmore transparent and cost-effective."

The study deals with five federal programs: the Department of Housing
and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program; the
Department of Labor’s Workforce Investment Act; the Department of
Commerce’s Public Works and Economic Development Program; Industrial
Revenue Bonds as allowed under the Internal Revenue Code; and the
Department of Agriculture’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans
Program.

The report, which could hardly be more relevant than it is today, may be downloaded here.

Photo: Michael Hinton/Flickr

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Advocates: Congress Must Stop Trump From Illegally Holding Back Sustainable Transportation Funds

Congress has a chance to restore order, seize back their power of the purse, and stop Trump from "pocket-rescinding" hundreds of millions for good transportation projects.

September 26, 2025

Friday Video: You Should Care That Your Car Is Spying On You

Yes, every device we own is probably harvesting our data. But the car might be the worst offender.

September 26, 2025

The State of Friday’s Headlines

Transit agencies from Rhode Island to San Francisco are facing budget shortfalls as a variety of factors create a perfect storm.

September 26, 2025

Revitalizing Cities With Small-Scale Manufacturing

One Rust Belt city is pursuing an innovative strategy to attract economic development and enhance urban livability.

September 26, 2025

The Real Reason the Far Right is Demanding Action on Transportation Violence

A series of brutal deaths on U.S. roads and trains is sparking outrage on the far right – and a push for some disturbing policy solutions that will only make our country more violent.

September 25, 2025

Everyone to Congress: Stand Up and Fight for the Infrastructure Funding You Allocated (And Your Constituents Need)

"The president has made it clear that programs outside the administration’s narrow vision for transportation will not be faithfully implemented," advocates said this week — and it's time for congress to stand up and defend their will.

September 25, 2025
See all posts