Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about 2009 Transportation Bill

New Investigation Finds 2,100 Transport Lobbyists Working the System

By Elana Schor | Sep 16, 2009 | No Comments

Interest groups seeking to influence transportation policy-making have long flooded the capital with campaign cash and lobbyists — and their numbers are rising at an eye-popping rate. Nearly 1,800 interests are employing at least 2,100 transportation lobbyists to work the system in anticipation of the next federal infrastructure bill, according to a Center for Public […]

Oberstar Stands Firm on Transportation Bill, Gets Industry Backup

By Elana Schor | Sep 15, 2009 | No Comments

In case any doubts remained about his willingness to challenge the White House and the Senate on prompt passage of a long-term infrastructure bill, House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar’s (D-MN) op-ed in the Politico Monday should clear them up: House transport committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN). Photo: Capitol Chatter Unfortunately, the administration and some […]

Compromise or Concession: Congress Faces Tough Transport Choices

By Elana Schor | Sep 8, 2009 | 2 Comments

Health care and transportation funding are very different items on Congress’ to-do list, but the Washington Post’s assessment of the former issue fits the latter as well: Lawmakers return today from a month-long recess to find a political landscape that has barely shifted from the impasse of late July. Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH). Photo: UPI […]

Transit Cuts Report Underscores Cities’ Congressional Influence

By Elana Schor | Aug 18, 2009 | 3 Comments

In a report released this morning, Transportation for America (T4A) expands on its months-long effort to map transit cutbacks across the nation and concludes that 10 of the largest 25 local agencies are being forced to hike fares by more than 13 percent. (Photo: T4A) T4A’s report illustrates the punishing effect of such cuts on […]

Transport Construction Industry Mobilizes for Oberstar’s Bill

By Elana Schor | Aug 12, 2009 | 1 Comment

Acrimonious opposition to health care reform has become the biggest political story of an otherwise sleepy August, but that doesn’t mean lobbying on the House’s transportation bill has evaporated. (Image: ARTBA) The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), which represents major construction companies, released a bulletin to members today urging them to connect with […]

McCain & Coburn: Let’s Make Roads Safer — by Slashing Safety Money

By Elana Schor | Jul 30, 2009 | 6 Comments

A report released today [PDF] by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), timed to coincide with debate on a $7 billion highway trust fund fix, accuses their fellow lawmakers of "raiding" the fund for transportation "pet projects." Sen. John McCain. Image: City-Data.com What wasteful projects have drawn such scorn from the duo? Not […]

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