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Congressional Black Caucus Calls for Bypassing States on New Jobs Bill
By Elana Schor |
As the $787 billion stimulus law nears its one-year anniversary, Congress’ choice to route the lion’s share of recovery funds through state capitals — including state DOTs where misplaced priorities are all too common — remains a sore spot for mayors and urban advocates. CBC Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) (Photo: AP) Today the Congressional […]
Local Advocates Mourn “Death of Transit” as Part of National Campaign
By Matthew Roth |
Mock funeral for transit today in Oakland. Photos: Matthew Roth Transit advocates, transit riders, politicians, and religious figures mourned the continual underfunding of transit operations by staging a mock funeral for public transit above the 12th Street/Oakland BART station today. The event was tied to a national campaign led by Transit Riders for Public Transportation […]
Two Action Alerts to Improve Stimulus Package for Transit Today
By Matthew Roth |
Which one gets the stimulus money? NACTO Action Alert We’ve all been disappointed with the tiny margin of transit funding in the $825 billion Obama stimulus package, what amounts to only 1% of the total, despite the fact that 80% of us live in metropolitan regions and transit ridership is booming. Meanwhile highway expansion and […]
Transit Riders Launch Grassroots Lobbying Push in Dire Political Climate
By Elana Schor |
Advocates for urban transit riders in 14 metro areas climbed the Hill today to pitch lawmakers face-to-face on the need for extra federal transit operating aid, a grassroots lobbying effort that could face considerable challenges even as Democrats craft a new jobs bill with a focus on infrastructure. Lee Gaddies of Detroit speaks at today’s […]
Polly Trottenberg Tapped for Senior U.S. DOT Spot
By Elana Schor |
It’s a happy Friday for transportation wonks: the White House has nominated Polly Trottenberg, executive director of Building America’s Future, as assistant secretary for policy at the federal DOT. Polly Trottenberg, tapped as assistant DOT secretary (Photo: NewTalk) Trottenberg’s ascension signals that the Obama administration will make transit a serious priority and encourage a more […]
Brown Offers Senate Plan For More Federal Operating Aid to Local Transit
By Elana Schor |
Local transit officials seeking more federal operating aid during lean budgetary times got a new ally today in Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who introduced legislation in Congress’ upper chamber to give rail and bus agencies more flexibility to spend funding from Washington on averting service cuts and layoffs. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) (Photo: Partnership for […]