Transportation Policy
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LaHood Answers GOP Critic, Soothes Dem Skeptic of Sustainability Budget
As Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood tangled with a senior GOP
senator today over the White House's $500
million-plus request for its inter-agency office of sustainable
communities -- a
new project aimed at channeling federal energy towards local
transit-oriented and smart growth plans -- an influential Democrat
joined her fellow senator in raising questions about diverting highway
money to the effort.
May 6, 2010
Obama Aide Defends Transit Safety Plan as Different from Rail Rules
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) chief Peter Rogoff today mounted a defense of the White House’s transit safety plan, assuring some skeptical members of Congress that he does not want to “replicate” inter-city rail safety rules that have taken flak for impeding the development of viable U.S. train networks. As of last year, D.C.’s Metro had … Continued
April 21, 2010
Kerry on Senate Climate Bill: Federal Gas Tax is Staying at 18.4 Cents
The several dozen transportation industry groups that raised questions about where the upcoming Senate climate change bill would send proceeds from its new “linked fee” on carbon fuels can stop worrying — because it looks like the legislation won’t contain any new tax on motor fuels. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) (Photo: Getty) As Sen. John … Continued
April 21, 2010
Could L.A.’s Transit Plan Become a Winning Campaign Issue for Boxer?
President Obama did triple duty last night for the re-election
campaign of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), visiting
three fundraisers to send a stark message about polls that show the
environment committee chair holding a single-digit
lead against her GOP challengers despite a formidable cash
advantage.
April 20, 2010
Obama Energy Aide: ‘We Probably Saw Peak Demand for Gas … in 2007′
The decline in American driving that began at the start of the recession, fueled by record-high gas prices, came to an end late last year. But the Obama administration believes that its transport and energy policies have ushered in a long-term shift, “changing the fuel mix in ways that will drive down gasoline demand,” according … Continued
April 19, 2010
Former U.S. DOT Chief on the Worst-Case Scenario: 4 Years of Extensions
To a certain extent, hope springs eternal in federal transportation
circles. Even as state DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations
operate under the latest in a series of extensions of the
2005 law that governs road, transit, and bike-ped spending, few are
willing to envision a future in which new legislation doesn't pass by
next year.
April 19, 2010
‘Gas Tax’ Sounding Like a Four-Letter Word to the White House and Senate
Transportation groups of all shapes and sizes have been
concerned that the Senate's forthcoming climate bill could set back
the prospects for a federal transportation measure by imposing extra
carbon fees on Big Oil -- which would then be passed on to
customers at the pump, effectively increasing the gas tax for purposes
other than funding new infrastructure projects.
April 16, 2010
Nevada Becomes Newest Battleground in Mileage Tax Debate
Nevada’s state DOT is in the early stages of a years-long study aimed at mapping a possible transition from the gas tax to a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee, a shift urged last year by a congressionally chartered panel on infrastructure financing and encouraged by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). In-vehicle GPS units, such as the … Continued
April 9, 2010
New Analysis Tracks 40 Years of Changes in How Kids Get to School
The percentage of U.S. students between ages five and 14 who walk
or bike to school has remained stable over the past 15 years but remains
three-quarters below where it stood 40 years ago, according to a new
analysis of government data by two groups working on the Safe Routes to
School (SRtS) program.
April 9, 2010