Today’s Headlines

  • Obama nominates Deborah Hersman, presently a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, to be the next chairman (Boston Globe)
  • American Public Transportation Association (APTA) starts "Dump the Pump" campaign (CSP Daily News)
  • Mag-lev train boosters in Las Vegas press on despite Senate Majority Leader’s support for a rival project (LV Sun)
  • Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) likes his state’s chances of winning federal money for high-speed rail (Dayton Daily News)
  • FedEx lobbies against legislative provision, backed by Transportation Committee chairman, that could help more of its workers unionize (BusinessWeek, Logistics Management)

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Oberstar’s Transportation Bill: Download it in Full

By Elana Schor |
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar’s (D-MN) new federal bill, which he previewed Wednesday despite pushback from the Obama administration, is officially out. You can download the 775-page legislative text right here, thanks to Transportation for America. Streetsblog Capitol Hill is thumbing through it right now to provide highlights later today.

Oberstar Stands Firm on Transportation Bill, Gets Industry Backup

By Elana Schor |
In case any doubts remained about his willingness to challenge the White House and the Senate on prompt passage of a long-term infrastructure bill, House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar’s (D-MN) op-ed in the Politico this morning should clear them up: House transport committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) (Photo: Capitol Chatter) Unfortunately, the administration and […]

Mica’s Transportation Proposal: Responses Flood In

By Tanya Snyder |
The GOP transportation proposal is now online. Here are some early reactions. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), chair of the Senate Banking subcommittee with jurisdiction over public transportation: “It used to be that Republicans understood that transportation investment was necessary to spur economic growth and create jobs. Now, I guess they think if we give the […]

A Make-or-Break Week for Transportation Begins on the Hill

By Elana Schor |
After weeks of uncertainty and tension, the congressional impasse over long-term transportation funding is headed for resolution this week — but the reprieve may be temporary. A decisive week lies ahead for House transport chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN). (Photo: Capitol Chatter) When we last left House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), he was calling […]

Senate Agrees on $26.8 Billion Highway Trust Fund Rescue

By Elana Schor |
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. Senate Finance Committee […]