Today’s Headlines

  • No. 2 House Democrat talks up high-speed rail in upstate New York (Utica O-D)
  • Minnesota is still locked in negligence litigation with two companies after its deadly 2007 bridge collapse — but the state DOT is giving them millions of dollars in work anyway (AP)
  • "Cash for clunkers" is a stellar economic stimulus … for dealers of chemicals that kill engines (WSJ)
  • Rock on: Employees at Nashville’s transit authority have a band, and Jack White’s producing their new singles (Pitchfork)
  • The House transportation committee’s job-creation estimates for the stimulus are looking pretty shoddy (ProPublica)

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Senior House Members Urge Removal of Amtrak’s New In-House Watchdog

By Elana Schor |
The chairman and senior Republican on the House oversight committee took a step further today in their investigation of internal conflicts at Amtrak, calling for the removal of the staffer who was installed as the rail company’s inspector general (IG) after the sudden resignation of the previous in-house watchdog. Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), center, and […]

House Votes on Transportation Spending: Track it Live

By Elana Schor |
While how to pay for future transport programs takes center stage in the House today, another crucial debate is going on over approval of next year’s U.S. DOT budget. The full House is set to vote this afternoon on the $123 billion transportation and housing spending bill for 2010, with a series of amendments okayed […]

Pressure Mounts on House to Take Up Senate Bill. Does the House Care?

By Angie Schmitt |
The U.S. Conference of Mayors, Congressional Democrats, some Congressional Republicans, unions, politicians from New Jersey, Chicago and Louisiana — they all have one message for the House of Representatives: Pass the Senate transportation bill. President Obama made it a key part of his weekly address this Sunday, pointing out that the economy would “take a hit” […]

House to Take Up Transportation Spending Bill This Week

By Elana Schor |
The House’s transportation and housing spending bill for 2010 is slated for a vote in the full chamber this week, setting the stage for possible showdowns over the measure’s $4 billion for high-speed rail and $150 million for the Washington D.C. Metro system.  A copy of the bill can be downloaded on the website of […]