Elana Schor
Recent Posts
‘Gas Tax’ Sounding Like a Four-Letter Word to the White House and Senate
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Transportation groups of all shapes and sizes have been concerned that the Senate’s forthcoming climate bill could set back the prospects for a federal transportation measure by imposing extra carbon fees on Big Oil — which would then be passed on to customers at the pump, effectively increasing the gas tax for purposes other than […]
Today’s Headlines
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As environmental groups head to the White House for a meeting on the Senate climate bill, its unveiling pushed back by another week (Greenwire, Nat Jrnl) Democrats warn the Obama administration not to treat GM’s pension liabilities as its own (Det. News) House transportation committee members urge White House to roll back rule allowing Mexican […]
Menendez Proposes Tax Credit for Transit-Oriented Development
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New construction projects that are within a half-mile of transit stations and exceeding national energy-efficiency standards would be eligible for a tax credit under legislation introduced today by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the senior member of the Banking Committee’s transit panel. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) (Photo: Paterson Online) Menendez’s "green buildings" tax credit is aimed […]
Senate GOP Continues to Resist Sanctions-Based Distracted Driving Rules
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The Senate environment committee’s senior Republican yesterday joined his counterpart on the commerce panel in criticizing legislation that would withhold federal highway funding from states that fail to crack down on distracted driving, casting doubt on Congress’ ability to approve any punitive approach to reining in texting and cell phone use by drivers. (Photo: SCnow.com) […]
The Gas Tax: A Trip Back in Legislative Time …
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As Tax Day prompts a rush of political rallies and media coverage, it’s worth looking back at the history of the federal levy that helps pay for transportation projects: the gas tax. The late Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) in 1982, when he battled his own party’s attempts to raise the gas tax. (Photo: TIME) Most […]
Today’s Headlines
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LaHood’s non-binding statement of support for biking and walking: still unpopular among conservatives, truckers (AP) Electric car companies pressing for a new round of subsidies from Washington (WSJ) When is the Senate climate bill hitting public view? Not on Earth Day, says Sen. Graham (R-SC), who’s concerned about "mixed messages" (Nat Jrnl via @drgrist) Could […]
Feds’ Record on Transport Public-Private Partnerships Prompts Skepticism
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When it comes to creative transportation financing in an age of rising red ink, public-private partnerships (PPPs) are one of the most popular ideas on the table in Washington. Rail planners in Denver and Dallas are exploring the strategy to speed progress on new lines, and the White House’s proposed $4 billion infrastructure fund could […]
Two Cities Exploring ‘Innovative Transport Financing’ For New Rail Lines
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The House transportation committee is holding a hearing today on "innovative financing" for infrastructure projects — a topic near and dear to lawmakers who continue to hunt for a politically feasible, sustainable strategy for funding a new six-year federal transport bill. Riders in Dallas, where a public-private partnership could be the ticket to a new […]
Gillibrand Offers $1B Plan Backing Up White House on Local Food Outlets
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Her approval rating on the rise amid a difficult election battle, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined the president’s campaign against childhood obesity this week by proposing $1 billion in loans and grants to build healthier neighborhood grocery stores and farmers’ markets. The view from one type of "food desert." (Photo: Springfield Institute) Gillibrand’s legislation, co-sponsored […]
Today’s Headlines
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Supporters of more federal transit operating aid planning nationwide advocacy day next week, staged as a "funeral" for local rail and bus service (TEN Press) LaHood hails New York Times’ Pulitzer win as a victory for distracted driving campaigners (DOT Blog) Oklahoma state DOT delays projects as federal funding from recent jobs bill has yet […]
Smart Growth Debate Flaring Anew in Fast-Growing Loudoun County, VA
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Over the past decade, Virginia’s Loudoun County has frequently ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing in the country — a dubious honor for many local residents, who have watched their local elected officials veer from a full-speed-ahead rush of new development to an emphasis on smart growth and then back again, a dizzying back-and-forth that […]
New Report Maps Link Between Overseas Transit Attacks and Domestic Risk
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Transit networks around the world beefed up security measures in the wake of last month’s fatal bombing of a Moscow subway car, but the relevance of circumstances and tactics used in overseas terrorist attacks to U.S. rail and bus security remains unclear, according to a new report partly funded by the U.S. DOT. A police […]