Recent Streetsblog SF posts about 2009 Transportation Bill

Streetsblog Capitol Hill Q&A: Blumenauer Talks Economic Recovery

By Elana Schor | Dec 3, 2009 | No Comments

On the issue of clean transportation, from transit to bike paths to clean water, few members of Congress are as knowledgeable or active as Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). Chief of the Congressional Bicycle Caucus and founder of the new Livable Communities Task Force, the Portland lawmaker is on the front lines of Washington’s biggest infrastructure […]

LaHood to Congress: It’s Time to Talk About a Gas Tax Increase

By Elana Schor | Nov 30, 2009 | No Comments

As Congress maneuvers to end the political impasse over the next long-term national transportation bill, lawmakers going to have to debate an increase in the federal gas tax, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (Photo: Getty Images) In his remarks at a Fort Worth transportation meeting, first reported by the local […]

Three GOP Senators Ask Reid to Call Up Six-Month Transport Bill Extension

By Elana Schor | Nov 17, 2009 | No Comments

The senior Republicans on three of the Senate’s four infrastructure-centric committees today signed onto a letter asking the leaders of Congress’ upper chamber to call up a six-month extension of the 2005 transportation law. Senate environment chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) (Photo: Politics Now) In the letter, Sens. Jim Inhofe (OK), Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), and […]

Introducing the Samuelson Gas Tax Increase: A Penny Every Month

By Elana Schor | Nov 17, 2009 | 1 Comment

Democratic lawmakers are discussing the possibility of a one-year stopgap transportation bill but have yet to reach consensus on how to pay for the measure, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) said today. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) (Photo: Politics Daily) Carper, speaking at a National Journal policy conference, said the prospects for short-term transport legislation still depend […]

‘The Concrete is Cracking’: Front-Loaded New Transport Bill Gains Steam

By Elana Schor | Nov 6, 2009 | No Comments

With the U.S. unemployment rate hitting 10.2 percent today, its highest level in 26 years, a palpable shift is occurring on Capitol Hill. House transportation chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) (Photo: STLToday) For weeks, we’ve heard senior Democrats and the transit industry make the case for more transportation spending as a potent job creator, but the […]

Inhofe Blasts Transport Bill Inaction That Comes From His Own Party

By Elana Schor | Oct 29, 2009 | No Comments

The Senate environment committee’s senior Republican, Jim Inhofe (OK), delivered a stern warning today to any lawmakers who would force another short-term extension of federal transportation programs, which are set to expire at midnight Saturday. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) (Photo: NewsOK) "We have bridges in Oklahoma that are crumbling and falling down. People could be […]

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