Elana Schor
Recent Posts
The MA Senate Race: Consequences for Transport and Climate Policy
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Democrats awoke this morning to find their worst fears realized, as lackluster Senate hopeful Martha Coakley (D-MA) was upset by Republican Scott Brown. Voters, lawmakers, and advocates are left to wonder what becomes of their issues in a year already marked by political upheaval. Sen.-elect Scott Brown (R-MA), with his family on election night. (Photo: […]
Today’s Headlines
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What could the Massachusetts Senate race portend for the Democrats’ economic agenda, including their infrastructure-rich jobs bill? (Atlantic Blogs) New research shows that Texas students are more likely to miss school for health reasons when air pollution climbs — even within legal limits … (Star-Telegram) … meanwhile, the state is resigned to missing out on […]
For D.C. Area Residents, a Worthy Take on the Year in Transport
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When the Washington Post devoted an entire transportation column to the "best and worst" of 2009 — its content written by interest groups with a stake in adding more lanes for more cars — Streetsblog Network member blog Greater Greater Washington (GGW) took the initiative and sent in its own retrospective. And in a show […]
Obama Quietly Gets Federal Agencies Involved in Transport Planning
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When President Obama signed an executive order in October requiring federal agencies to craft strategies for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, he described the mandate as Washington "lead[ing] by example" on the pollution-reduction front. (Photo: AP) And that’s true — but the order also includes language telling federal agencies to get involved in integrating local […]
CBO Echoes Obama’s Candor on the Pitfalls of ‘Shovel-Readiness’
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During last month’s White House jobs summit, President Obama carved out some common ground with critics of his first stimulus law’s $47 billion in infrastructure spending — which was distributed mainly by the book through state DOTs. "The term "shovel-ready," let’s be honest here, doesn’t always live up to its billing," he acknowledged. The CBO […]
Today’s Headlines
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Distracted pedestrians: still not as dangerous as their driving counterparts (NYT) At the Detroit auto show, signs of government control over the industry were plentiful (Newsweek) Missouri business and labor groups start a new Transportation Alliance to find solutions to the state’s funding crisis (KC Star) In Minnesota, a local editorial board questions whether easier […]
Could a Green Bank Hitch a Ride on the Jobs Bill?
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Fans of a National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) that would help leverage private-sector funding for transportation projects are still hoping for Hill action after the House declined to add the idea to its $154 billion jobs bill. But the NIB isn’t the only new financing strategy on the table, as Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) reminded […]
Enviro Group Sees State DOTs’ Transport Predictions — and Raises Them
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Just before New Year’s, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Washington voice for state DOTs that’s often dubbed the "road lobby," counted down 10 hot topics for 2010. Freight upgrades made EDF’s transport wish list for 2010. (Photo: TSA) Most items on AASHTO’s list are awaited with equal fervor by […]
Virginia’s New Governor Shows His Cards: No Plan for Transportation
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Three months ago, Ryan Avent wrote on this page about Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Creigh Deeds’ (D) ill-fated push to make transportation a central part of his campaign. The peril was clear to Ryan at the time: With little political appetite for congestion pricing and a stalled federal transport bill, Deeds had big ideas but no […]
Today’s Headlines
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Ahmedabad, India, wins the Sustainable Transport Award from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (Express) Freight rail industry has a mixed reaction to LaHood’s revamp of transit funding rules (Fleet Owner) Why are politicians always so scared of the word "tax"? A scientific explanation (MoJo Blog) Amtrak to add free wi-fi on the Acela […]
EPA Air Chief: We Need to Do More to Reduce VMT
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Obama administration officials "need to align together" to work on reducing the nation’s total vehicle miles traveled — work that should go beyond a pending congressional climate bill — the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air-quality chief said today. Gina McCarthy, EPA’s top air pollution regulator. (Photo: CECE) Gina McCarthy, EPA’s assistant administrator for air and […]
LaHood Wants More TIGER Aid in the Congressional Jobs Bill
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Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made a splash yesterday by announcing that the U.S. DOT would look at the environmental and community-building benefits of transit projects, not just their adherence to a government cost-effectiveness standard. Washington D.C.’s proposed K Street transitway, pictured above, is one of many projects vying for TIGER money. (Photo: The City Fix) […]