Transportation Policy
Basics
Portland’s Transport Research Guru Headed to Obama Administration
The U.S. DOT is expected to announce today that it has tapped Robert Bertini, a Portland State University professor who headed Oregon's state-wide transport research effort, as the No. 2 at the Research and Innovative Technology Administration -- the government's home for stats on all things transportation.
August 5, 2009
“Build America Bonds” Having a Big Week — Is the Transport Bill Next?
With the nation's highway trust fund facing a $200-billion-plus shortfall over the next 10 years, finding new sources of revenue for transportation innovation is one of the toughest long-term challenges that Congress faces. One possible solution, however, lies no further than this week's business pages.
August 4, 2009
How — and When — Can D.C. Help Local Transport Reform Happen?
In a new op-ed for Citiwire, former Indianapolis mayor and GOP member of Congress Bill Hudnut suggests six ways that Washington can train the nation's 350-plus metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) into tools for smart and environmentally sound transportation policymaking.
August 3, 2009
Senate Panel Backs $1.2B for High Speed Rail, $1.4B Extra For Highways
The Senate panel in charge of transportation spending has just released its version of the budget bill that passed the House last week, giving less to high-speed rail and more to highways than the lower chamber of Congress.
July 29, 2009
How Soon Will Cutting Transportation Emissions Save Money?
Anyone who kept tabs on the House's climate change bill last month recalls much acrimonious ado about the plan's impact on average American pocketbooks. The GOP tossed out cost estimates that turned out to be manipulated, while nonpartisan projections showed the bill actually saving money for low-income families.
July 28, 2009
Oberstar to White House: On Emissions, Back Up Your Words With Action
Appearing this morning at the release of a new report on transportation's role in fighting climate change, House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) challenged the Obama administration to back up their emissions rhetoric with action and pass his six-year, $450 billion infrastructure bill.
July 28, 2009
The Capitol’s 10 Transportation Players to Know
Even occasional observers of the national transportation scene can probably recognize House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) or Senate environment committee chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) -- but what about the advisers who act as their eyes and ears in drafting policy?
July 27, 2009
House to Take Up Transportation Spending Bill This Week
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.
July 20, 2009
Voinovich Joins House Dems in Saying No to Transpo Funding Stopgap
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will move tomorrow on a White House-backed extension of the four-year-old federal transportation law, but at least one of its members is already opposed.
July 14, 2009
Obama’s Agenda for Cities: Enough Talk
In closing his speech to a roundtable on urban and metropolitan issues, given yesterday at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Barack Obama quoted Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, who famously urged men to "make no small plans."
July 14, 2009