Recent Streetsblog SF posts about Transportation Policy

Congressional Black Caucus Calls for Bypassing States on New Jobs Bill

By Elana Schor | Dec 11, 2009 | 1 Comment

As the $787 billion stimulus law nears its one-year anniversary, Congress’ choice to route the lion’s share of recovery funds through state capitals — including state DOTs where misplaced priorities are all too common — remains a sore spot for mayors and urban advocates. CBC Chair Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) (Photo: AP) Today the Congressional […]

House and Senate Agree on $2.5B for High-Speed Rail — And More

By Elana Schor | Dec 9, 2009 | No Comments

After lengthy negotiations, the House and Senate agreed last night on a massive "omnibus" spending bill [PDF] that includes $2.5 billion for high-speed rail — a compromise between the two chambers — as well as $150 million for the Obama administration’s sustainable communities effort and $150 million for the Washington D.C. Metro system. Rep. John […]

NY’s Sadik-Khan Joins Blumenauer, Byrne for “Cities for Cycling” Launch

By Elana Schor | Dec 9, 2009 | 3 Comments

Addressing a packed house in Washington last night, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, founder of the Congressional Bike Caucus, posed a Zen-like ‘universalist cyclist question’. Photo: Cities for Cycling "How many people, right now," he asked, "are stuck in traffic on their way to ride a stationary bike in a health club?" The quip got a big […]

White House Backs $50B For ‘Merit-Based Infrastructure Investment’

By Elana Schor | Dec 8, 2009 | No Comments

President Obama today threw his weight behind significant new transportation spending as part of a broad jobs bill taking shape in Congress, with $50 billion slated for transit, roads, bridges, and ports and the administration endorsing "merit-based infrastructure investment that leverages federal dollars." President Obama gave a high-profile jobs speech today. (Photo: NYT) During his […]

White House Unveils Transit Safety Bill to Cautious Praise on the Hill

By Elana Schor | Dec 8, 2009 | No Comments

Lawmakers on the House transportation committee today greeted details of the Obama administration’s transit safety plan with approval, but some sounded skeptical notes about the costs of state compliance with new federal rules even as transit agencies cope with billions of dollars in maintenance and repair backlogs. Washington D.C.’s transit safety oversight agency has less […]

Wall Street Bailout Money For Infrastructure? Maybe Not

By Elana Schor | Dec 8, 2009 | No Comments

President Obama will deliver a speech on job creation this morning in Washington, but one tactic that has won over quite a few Democrats of late — redirecting unspent money from last year’s financial bailout to transportation — may not be as possible as lawmakers had thought. White House economic adviser Larry Summers promised earlier […]

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