Elana Schor
Recent Posts
Signing Off — But Stay Tuned
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This week marks the first anniversary of Streetsblog Capitol Hill, as well as a time of transition — this post will be my last for the site. I hope that the blog’s coverage has helped illuminate some of the previously impenetrable details of federal transportation policy-making, and I hope you will continue reading the valuable […]
Today’s Headlines
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You may have seen the disturbing Guatemala City sinkhole — but how did it happen? A look at the street engineering behind the scare (ABC) Lawmakers offer bills providing subsidies, incentives for electric car expansion (Det. News) Vermont becomes latest state to criminalize texting and cell phone use by drivers (AP) Caterpillar boosts its rail […]
AFL-CIO Flexing Its Muscle for Senate Transit Operating Aid Bill
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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 […]
Today’s Headlines
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U.S. DOT’s new "TIGER II" grant program is encouraging Texas state DOT officials to hope the second time is a charm when it comes to funding a fix for an aging rail intersection … (Star-Telegram) … and Washington D.C. city officials to hope for new bike-share funding … (DC Biz Jrnl) … and northwestern Tennessee […]
Cyclists Laud LaHood’s Bike-Ped Advocacy
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Several dozen cyclists rode to U.S. DOT headquarters today to present Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood with a letter signed by hundreds of local bike-ped groups, hailing the former GOP congressman’s support for their cause during his first 16 months on the job. LaHood, at far right, during a tabletop speech at March’s National Bike Summit. […]
Today’s Headlines
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LaHood says he has yet to endorse Senate Dems’ $2B transit aid bill: "We need to look at how we pay for that" (WNYC) A separate, wide-ranging interview with LaHood, on everything from bike funding to fuel-efficiency rules (NPR) U.S. metro areas scratch the feds’ back, the feds scratch theirs? How one Arizona pitch could […]
Bipartisan Ped Safety Amendment Hitches a Ride on House Auto Bill
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The House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday advanced an auto safety bill aimed at strengthening U.S. DOT regulators’ hands in the aftermath of Toyota’s recall debacle. Despite Republican complaints that the legislation would impose too many new costs on the car industry, bipartisan support emerged readily for an amendment focused on pedestrian safety. Rep. Cliff […]
Today’s Headlines
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New tax-extension bill on the House floor this week would fix transport-funding disparity decried by Oberstar — but the Illinois delegation remains opposed to the change (Herald Whig) Transit unions to run ads urging GOP senators’ support for Dem bill approving $2B in transit aid (WSJ) Washington D.C. city council initially scraps streetcar funding to […]
New Report Examines the Media’s Role in the Gas Tax Debate
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(Chart: University of Vermont Transportation Research Center) The success of state-level plans to increase gas taxes is tied to the media’s portrayal of the proposals in question, with narratives tied to "crumbling infrastructure" and "economic progress" showing more success than those emphasizing long-term transportation budget gaps, according to a new report released by the University […]
Today’s Headlines
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LaHood hails Canada’s offer to help pay for a new bridge link between its southern border and Detroit (Det. News) Feds release new guide to bike commuting implementation (LAB Blog) Voinovich lobbies his local regional planning organization for a gas tax hike to fund new federal transport bill (Biz Courier) Felix Salmon profiles transport wonk […]
Eight Senate Dems Offer $2B Plan for Emergency Transit Operating Aid
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Transit agencies forced to raise fares or cut service to close budget gaps would be eligible for $2 billion in emergency operating funds under legislation unveiled today by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) and seven other Democratic senators, including two members of the party’s leadership. Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT), left, Charles Schumer (D-NY), […]
Tracing the Fault Lines Between Public and Private Transit Operators
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Should private transit companies enjoy the same federal gas tax exemption that many public operators receive? How does the existence of private inter-city bus service affect the government’s development of new high-speed rail lines? And does it matter that private transit firms are eligible for public subsidies, even if at a much smaller rate than […]