Today’s Headlines

Chief of AFL-CIO’s transport unions: DeFazio’s oil securities tax is "an exciting proposal" (AFL Blog)

Feds giving cities more money for transit security (AFP)

How will the House v. Senate face-off on transport funding end? Some lobbyists see a six-month compromise (Roll Call)

Horrors! Utah highway officials fear more money for transit (SL Trib)

Virginia’s transportation is a mess — so why isn’t the self-professed "transpo candidate" for governor talking about it? (WaPo)

Blumenauer shakes his head sadly at "unhinged" Republicans (HuffPo)

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

AFL-CIO Flexing Its Muscle for Senate Transit Operating Aid Bill

By Elana Schor | Jun 1, 2010

The AFL-CIO, a formidable lobbying force in Washington, is throwing its weight behind a Senate bill offered last week that would authorize $2 billion in emergency funding for transit agencies forced to hike fares or cut service in lean budgetary times. Rev. Jesse Jackson, second from left, has joined transit workers’ unions in their Save […]

Jackson Joins Transit Unions to Rally for More Federal Operating Aid

By Elana Schor | Apr 27, 2010

The scene at today’s transit workers’ rally on Capitol Hill. (Photo: Steve Davis) "CONGRE$$ PLEASE HELP." "THINK BEFORE YOU CUT." "HANDS OFF OUR BUS OPERATORS." The messages were stark on Capitol Hill today as hundreds of transit workers gathered to protest the wave of local budget shortfalls that are threatening many of their jobs and […]

Senate Agrees on $26.8 Billion Highway Trust Fund Rescue

By Elana Schor | Jul 21, 2009

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 […]

Is More Transit Worthwhile If More Highways Are Part of the Bargain?

By Angie Schmitt | May 9, 2011

Is increased highway spending a tradeoff that transit advocates must accept in exchange for higher levels of investment in rail and buses? This question has been ricocheting around the Streetsblog Network the past few days. In one corner is Cap’n Transit, who argues that increased transit investment is meaningless unless it outpaces the growth of […]

One British City’s Transit Solution: Tax Parking

By Angie Schmitt | Jan 13, 2017

Nottingham, England, is winning recognition around the U.K. for its successful commuter parking program, which charges employers for the spaces they provide to employees and directs the revenue to transit.

Killing the Myth of the ‘More Shovel-Ready’ Road Stimulus

By Elana Schor | Sep 2, 2009

During debate over the White House’s $787 billion economic stimulus law, transit advocates watched as their projects were shortchanged and more "shovel-ready" road projects got the lion’s share of the transport pot — about $8.4 billion, compared with $27.5 billion for highways and bridges. (Photo: DMI Blog) But transit money is getting put to use […]