Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about 2009 Transportation Bill

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 […]

The Long, Ugly Road to a Federal Transportation Plan

By Elana Schor | May 19, 2009 | 9 Comments

Come September 30, Congress has to have a plan in hand to fund the nation's trains, buses, bikes, bridges and roads -- or pass an extension of the 2005 federal bill, locking in the same spending patterns that have nurtured Americans' addiction to the automobile. But the odds are that you haven't heard much about how the process works. What has to happen in order for Congress to meet that September deadline? Let's break it down a bit.

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 […]

Congress Takes a First Step Towards Reshaping Transportation Policy

By Elana Schor | May 14, 2009 | 5 Comments

Could Washington’s long, unhealthy love affair with the automobile be coming to an end? An encouraging sign of change came today from two powerful Democratic senators who released a proposal that sets out progressive goals for the upcoming federal transportation bill. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) (Photo by Washington Post) Today’s proposal, sponsored […]

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 […]

A Federal Transportation Bill Is Coming… But When?

By Elana Schor | May 12, 2009 | 1 Comment

Speaking to members of the National Retail Federation earlier today, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood sidestepped what’s becoming one of the peskiest unanswered questions on the Hill: Will Congress delay the federal transportation bill until next year? In his address to the retailers’ group, LaHood stuck mostly to his department’s progress in allocating its $48 billion […]

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