Transportation Policy
Basics
$2 Billion for Bicycling in Stimulus Package?
The most tantalizing tidbit in today's Times profile of Earl Blumenauer comes from fellow cycling Congressman James Oberstar:
January 13, 2009
Bloomberg to Obama: Stimulus Aid Should Go Directly to Cities
Yesterday the President-elect unveiled the broad strokes of his economic recovery plan at a DC press event, and Mayor Bloomberg was there to give his response. Bloomberg's message is critical for the prospects of green transportation in the upcoming stimulus package. Here's the abbreviated version via Liz Benjamin at the Daily Politics:
January 9, 2009
Chicago Loses NYC’s Congestion Pricing Money
Looks like New York legislators aren't the only ones willing to pass up big money for transportation improvements if it means putting a fair price on private auto use.
January 9, 2009
Tell Congress: Don’t Waste Money on Highway Expansion
With President-elect Obama back in Washington, action is heating up again around the economic recovery package, which could total up to $850 billion over the next two years. As much as $100 billion may be at stake for transportation projects. How will it be spent? The information that continues to trickle out of state departments of transportation is troubling. With a few exceptions, they are asking mainly to fund roadway expansion projects that would worsen traffic, pollution, and oil dependency, at the expense of transit, bike, and pedestrian infrastructure.
January 7, 2009
Tell the Highway Lobby About ’09 Transpo Spending
Not to be outdone, the road-building lobbyists at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) have launched their campaign to influence federal transportation spending priorities over the next year, including the 2009 TEA package.
December 1, 2008
GM’s Ransom Note to America
With the president-elect, Congress and the current White House divided on how or if American taxpayers should save the domestic auto industry, General Motors is taking its case directly to the public with this video and accompanying web site. More threat than appeal, the message, in a nutshell, is "Do it, or else."
November 17, 2008
Obama Names Transpo Transition Team
The Obama-Biden transition team today unveiled its "Agency Review Teams" -- the people charged with "a thorough review of key departments, agencies and commissions of the
United States government, as well as the White House, to provide the
President-elect, Vice President-elect, and key advisors with
information needed to make strategic policy, budgetary, and personnel
decisions prior to the inauguration."
November 14, 2008
John Liu Wants Federal Bailout for MTA, Calls Bridge Tolls a “Distraction”
While Washington is bailing out banks and carmakers (maybe), City Council Member John Liu thinks an allocation to the MTA is in order.
November 14, 2008
Urbama Admin? Prez-Elect ‘The Real Deal’ Says Metro Policy Guru
If Barack Obama's soft spot for Detroit has you doubting his urban policy bona fides, Bruce Katz offers a few words of reassurance. The Stamford Advocate reports from Katz's recent appearance before a Connecticut smart-growth group:
November 13, 2008
Obama Wants Car Czar to Accompany Big Three Aid
More details of a possible Obama administration-led auto industry bailout emerged yesterday when Politico reported that the president-elect wants a "high-profile point person to oversee reforms" attached to any financial aid.
November 12, 2008