Monday’s Big, Beautiful Headlines

Ride-hailing and delivery apps are backing the Republican reconciliation bill because it includes a tax exemption for drivers' tips.

By Blake Aued

12:01 AM EDT on May 19, 2025

Quote Catalog, CC

Uber and DoorDash are backing Republicans' tax- and Medicaid-cutting reconciliation bill because it includes a provision exempting tips from federal taxes. (Fox Business)
A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress last week would strengthen an existing federal ban on American transit agencies buying buses and railcars made in China. (Trains)
President Trump thinks Sean Duffy's experience in lumberjack competitions qualifies him to head the Department of Transportation (Independent). Meanwhile, Duffy is more concerned about a painting of Jesus than multiple recent air safety catastrophes (Daily Beast)
Electric trolleybuses are making a comeback because they no longer need to run on overhead wires. (CleanTechnica)
New Jersey transit shut down at midnight Friday when 450 locomotive engineers went on strike. (New York Times)
Jersey City activists and elected officials are opposed to a $10.7 billion turnpike extension. (Hudson County View)
Illinois legislators are close to a deal on transit funding as Chicago agencies approach a fiscal cliff. (CBS News)
In California, though, Gov. Gavin Newsom refused a request for $2 billion in emergency funding for Bay Area transit. (KQED)
Seattle is expanding its use of automated cameras to enforce traffic laws. (KING 5)
Capital Bikeshare in Washington, D.C. set a record last year with 6.1 million riders. (Axios)
HillRag suspects D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is trying to kill the H Street bus lane project.
Portland leaders want the city to recommit to Vision Zero after traffic deaths hit an all-time high in 2023. (Mercury)
Savannah is reducing speed limits on almost 100 streets. (WJCL)
A Congress for New Urbanism project in New Bedford, Massachusetts aims to transform 40 blocks along a four-lane stroad into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood. (Public Square)
A survey found that two-thirds of Europeans support banning short-haul flights were less-polluting high-speed rail is available. (Euro News)
Urban planners are urging Melbourne to overhaul its downtown grid to resemble Barcelona's lauded superblocks. (RMIT)
Paris has overtaken Amsterdam as the most bike-friendly city for children in Europe. (The Guardian)