Elana Schor
Recent Posts
TCS: Disputed Transport Provision in Jobs Bill Rewarded Political Clout
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A provision in the Senate jobs bill that would distribute $932 million in 2010 transportation funding based on existing earmarks is in line for a quick fix, thanks to a deal struck on Friday between House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Democratic leaders in the upper chamber. Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), […]
EPA Declares Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal a Superfund Site
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today named Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal a Superfund site, putting the waterway on the list of the nation’s most polluted waste areas and paving the way for a years-long cleanup process that could upend city officals’ plans to redevelop the neighborhood. Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal, now a federal Superfund site. (Photo: NYT) […]
Transportation Filibuster Update: Bunning Won’t Yield to Fellow GOPer
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Federal infrastructure funding and many U.S. DOT workers remain in limbo today as Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) continues his one-man filibuster of legislation extending the 2005 transport law, turning himself into a Democratic target and a poster child for Washington gridlock. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) was heard quipping "tough s—t" as he began blocking an […]
Today’s Headlines
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To neutralize Bunning’s one-man filibuster, Reid weighs calling up a new long-term extension of unemployment insurance … but what of the transportation funding shutdown? (Fox News) DE Senate hopeful Castle vows to help the northeast corridor secure more high-speed rail aid (DE Online) Digital billboards: the new front in battles against distracted driving (NYT) All […]
Could a New Kind of Fuel Tax Help Break the Senate Climate Deadlock?
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Even before the Senate environment panel pushed through a GOP protest to approve its climate change bill, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and John Kerry (D-MA) were working behind the scenes on a so-called "tripartisan" plan that can win enough votes in Congress’ upper chamber to make nationwide emissions cuts a reality. (from […]
Federal Transportation Law Expired Over the Weekend: What’s Next?
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A new month begins today without rules in place to govern federal transportation programs, thanks to an objection by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) to quick approval of a short-term extension of existing law. The Natchez Trace Parkway, where trail construction is set to stall today thanks to inaction on federal transport law. (Photo: TheFunTimesGuide.com) The […]
Today’s Headlines
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Oberstar agrees to back Senate jobs bill after getting a written promise from Senate majority leader that $932 million in pre-earmarked transportation funding will be redistributed (Politico) Cost inflation and fears of higher ticket prices are already dogging California high-speed rail (LAT) Ohio River Bridges project, dubbed one of the nation’s "highways to nowhere," might […]
LaHood Backs Feingold’s Plan to Cancel Unspent Transport Earmarks
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When a member of Congress earmarks transportation money for a local project, the funding isn’t always spent in a timely manner. The Bush administration’s final budget proposed to cancel road earmarks that had sat largely unspent for 10 years, a move that would have freed up $626 million, according to Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI). A […]
The Big Question: What is the Purpose of Federal Transportation Spending?
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With the White House’s agenda crowded by high-profile debates that remain unresolved after lengthy talks with Congress — think health care, financial regulation, even unemployment benefits — only a handful of lawmakers are publicly engaging with the dominant issues surrounding the next long-term federal transportation bill. (Photo: UVA) Within that group of lawmakers, however, there […]
Deja Vu Again: One-Man Senate Filibuster Imperils Federal Transport Law
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A familiar script for Washington infrastructure watchers began to unfold last night on the Senate floor, as House-side resistance to a 10-month extension of existing federal transportation law prompted Democratic leaders to seek a quick deal on a one-month stopgap — the fourth such short-term move in six months. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) (Photo: CNN) […]
Today’s Headlines
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Talking in-depth with Gabe Klein, D.C.’s pro-bike and pro-transit director of transportation (WaPo) The overall benefits of freight traffic improvements, such as those funded by the TIGER program (Greenwire) A look at the four GOP House candidates for 2010 who also own large auto dealerships (Roll Call) The U.S. DOT echoes White House adviser Browner […]
Build America Bonds: Good for Transportation … Good for Goldman Sachs?
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The taxpayer-subsidized infrastructure financing program known as Build America Bonds (BABs), which would get a big boost in the Senate’s new jobs bill, has proven helpful for local transit agencies and other transportation officials seeking a way to fund big new projects during a crushing economic recession. New York’s MTA sold $750 in BABs last […]