Recent Streetsblog SF posts about 2009 Transportation Bill

Oberstar Stands Firm on Transportation Bill, Gets Industry Backup

By Elana Schor | Sep 14, 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 this morning should clear them up: House transport committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) (Photo: Capitol Chatter) Unfortunately, the administration and […]

Did Oberstar Admit There Won’t Be a Transportation Bill This Year?

By Elana Schor | Sep 10, 2009 | No Comments

The short answer: Nope. A report published this hour suggested that the House transportation committee chairman — who has repeatedly vowed to pursue a long-term federal bill before existing law expires at the end of this month — had abandoned the fight. Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) said an extension of the 2005 transport legislation "is […]

Compromise or Concession: Congress Faces Tough Transport Choices

By Elana Schor | Sep 8, 2009 | No 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) […]

Transport Construction Industry Mobilizes for Oberstar’s Bill

By Elana Schor | Aug 12, 2009 | No Comments

Acrimonious opposition to health care reform has become the biggest political story of an otherwise sleepy August, but that doesn’t mean grassroots 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 […]

Senate Debating House’s $7B Trust Fund Fix, With 4 GOP Amendments

By Elana Schor | Jul 30, 2009 | No Comments

The Senate began debate this morning on the $7 billion rescue of the nation’s highway trust fund that was passed by the House late yesterday, with four GOP amendments slated for a vote. The first proposal, from Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), would replenish federal highway programs with unused money from the $787 billion economic stimulus […]

Make-or-Break Week for Transportation Begins on the Hill

By Elana Schor | Jul 27, 2009 | No Comments

After weeks of uncertainty and tension, the congressional impasse over long-term transportation funding is headed for resolution this week — but the reprieve may be temporary. A decisive week lies ahead for House transport chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN). (Photo: Capitol Chatter) When we last left House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), he was calling […]

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