Recent Streetsblog USA posts about James Oberstar

Oberstar Says Goodbye, Mica Promises Rail and a Long-Term Bill

By Tanya Snyder | Nov 3, 2010 | 8 Comments

Rep. Jim Oberstar said goodbye today after 36 years in the House, during which he helped pioneer federal support for biking and walking. “I go in peace of mind and heart, but with sadness,” he said in his concession speech. He said he wouldn’t change or take back any of his votes for transportation, especially […]

With Oberstar Gone, Who Will Lead the Democrats on T & I Committee?

By Tanya Snyder | Nov 3, 2010 | 4 Comments

The Wall Street Journal has put out some thoughts about who might take up Jim Oberstar’s mantle now that he’s lost his seat by the narrowest of margins. (He would have lost the chairmanship in any case, since control of Congress flipped to the Republicans, but he would have been the ranking Democrat on the […]

Election Results: GOP Govs Win Big, Dems Take California, Oberstar Ousted

By Tanya Snyder | Nov 3, 2010 | 7 Comments

The biggest news from last night, of course, is that the GOP won control of the House of Representatives. That means Republicans now control all the House committees, and Ohio’s John Boehner — a believer in wider highways — will wield the Speaker’s gavel. The Democrats hung on to the Senate, though, and pundits are […]

Election Day Finds Two Livability Champions on the Ropes

By Tanya Snyder | Nov 2, 2010 | No Comments

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) will likely lose his chairmanship of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as control of the House is widely expected to shift to the Republicans after today’s election. But Oberstar could also lose his seat in Congress. As committee chair, Oberstar has been a strong advocate for transit investment and livability reforms. […]

If Republicans Take the House, What Happens to Transportation Reform?

By Tanya Snyder | Oct 6, 2010 | 17 Comments

It’s November 3. The Republicans have won a majority in the House of Representatives. Meet John Mica (R-FL), the new Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Will it happen? Depends which pundit you listen to or which polls you look at. It’s likely enough that some transportation advocates are concerned about what would happen […]

Could Gas-Tax Bonds Pay For the Next Federal Transportation Bill?

By Elana Schor | Mar 31, 2010 | 9 Comments

House infrastructure committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), facing steep political odds in his push to pass a new six-year federal transportation bill this year, has begun to pitch an outside-the-box solution to the financing shortfall that is still stalling congressional action: Treasury bonds. (Photo: Pop and Politics) Oberstar’s proposal would plug the hole in anticipated […]

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