Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about House of Representatives

Infrastructure Bank Plan Gaining Attention And Momentum

By Elana Schor | May 26, 2009 | 7 Comments

In today’s New York Times, columnist Bob Herbert spotlights the congressional proposal for a National Infrastructure Development Bank that would issue bonds, make loans and create securities to help finance needed rebuilding projects around the country. As Herbert put it: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) (Photo: America2050 via Flickr) [T]here was a development in Congress last […]

Illinois Congressman Pushes for Pro-Bike Transportation Bill

By Elana Schor | May 19, 2009 | 1 Comment

Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), an early supporter of the congressional "complete streets" bill, is circulating a letter to his House colleagues that urges support for pro-bike provisions in the upcoming federal transportation bill. Here’s how Lipinski put it: Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) (Photo: Washington Post) There is growing national interest in bicycling, and there is […]

Congress Reluctant to Shine Light on Transportation Earmarks

By Elana Schor | May 18, 2009 | 10 Comments

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is about to unveil a massive bill that will re-authorize federal transportation programs for the next six years. The bill will also include funding for a large number of "earmarks," the congressional pet projects that can include everything from bike trails to Bridges to Nowhere. Earmarks grew largely in […]

Who Cares About the Highway Trust Fund?

By Elana Schor | May 14, 2009 | 6 Comments

Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) is proposing today to make a small but crucial change in federal transit policy by requiring the nation’s Highway Trust Fund to keep the interest money it accrues, rather than give it up for the government’s general use. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) Photo: politicalkudzu.com. Which brings up an even more crucial […]

Coming Attraction: Teasers From Oberstar’s Transpo Bill Outline

By Sarah Goodyear | May 12, 2009 | No Comments

Rep. Jim Oberstar at the 2007 National Bike Summit. Photo by Bike Portland via Flickr. The details of Rep. Jim Oberstar’s plans for the next federal transportation bill are starting to come into focus. Last Friday, The Infrastructurist ran an item about a document on the subject that has made its way into the public […]

Steven Chu Forced to Recant Belief in Higher Gas Prices

By Ben Fried | Apr 24, 2009 | 12 Comments

The indignities are piling up for Steven Chu, the Nobel laureate Secretary of Energy whom environmentalists applauded as one of Obama’s best cabinet picks. His security detail won’t let the lifelong cyclist bike to work. And on Earth Day, he fielded questions like this one (via Talking Points Memo) during a House hearing on the […]

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