Today’s Headlines

  • Parsing the status-quo message of state DOTs’ federal arm (Streetsblog NYC)
  • House Republicans insist they are abiding by a promised earmark moratorium after Oberstar raises questions (CPI Blog)
  • LaHood announces new rule aimed at preventing distracted driving by railroad operators (FRA Press)
  • Transport construction union launches new campaign to build support for long-term federal legislation (The Hill)
  • Ron Sims, No. 2 at HUD, talks up the Obama administration’s sustainable communities effort in Rhode Island (Prov Journal)
  • Conservative think tank questions White House press secretary’s Twitter plug for his local bike shop (Heritage Blog)
  • D.C.’s much-touted NextBus transit tracking program is proving unreliable (WaPo Blogs)

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

LaHood, Biden Meet With Governors on High-Speed Rail

By Elana Schor |
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Vice President Biden met at the White House this afternoon with officials from 20 states in contention for funding as part of the Obama administration’s high-speed rail program. The high-speed Midwest Regional Rail Initiative’s proposed reach. (Photo: Michigan Messenger) "This is how the interstate highway system started, folks," Biden told […]

Watch the LaHood Confirmation Hearing Online

By Ben Fried |
At 2:00 p.m. the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will vet Obama’s choice for Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood. Will they grill the former Illinois rep on his predilection for pork and ties to Caterpillar? Tune in to the live webcast to find out. Also on tap (tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.) — the House […]

White House Staying Quiet For Now on Transit’s Role in Climate Bill

By Elana Schor |
Delivering his climate-change message to Congress yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned that fuel-efficiency advances secured by the Obama administration would not be enough to reduce emissions from transportation — not without encouraging Americans to drive less. Transportation Secretary LaHood said today he’ll weigh in later on climate-change money for transit. (Photo: HillBuzz) But when […]

LaHood Talks Budget: “Very Bright” Future for Infrastructure Fund

By Elana Schor |
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today that he sees "very bright" prospects for congressional approval of the Obama administration’s $4 billion National Infrastructure Innovation and Finance Fund, the new iteration of the long-discussed National Infrastructure Bank proposal. Transportation Secretary LaHood, at left, with the president. (Photo: NYT) "There is a great deal of interest in […]

LaHood Praises NYC But Shrugs at Transport Reform to Empower Cities

By Elana Schor |
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised the New York City area’s clean-transportation strategy today in a speech to the region’s metropolitan planning organization (MPO), promising a stronger focus on urban priorities even as he all but ruled out two reforms long sought by the nation’s cities. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (Photo: Zimbio) LaHood’s speech to the […]

VIDEO: LaHood Visits ‘The Daily Show’ to Talk Transportation

By Elana Schor |
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Ray LaHood www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Jon Stewart on The Daily Show last night to talk about his department’s role in the stimulus debate, infrastructure modernization, and development of a U.S. high-speed […]