Recent Streetsblog USA posts about U.S. DOT

How the $8.7 Billion Transportation Contracting Gap is Hitting Your State

By Elana Schor | Oct 20, 2009 | No Comments

Earlier this month, Streetsblog Capitol Hill reported on the fallout from Congress’ failure to prevent an $8.7 billion "rescission" — fancy legislative talk for the cancellation of funds — from taking effect on September 30. Though media coverage focused largely on the rescission’s impact on road projects, the lost money has hit clean transportation hard. […]

The Oversight Gap in Team Obama’s High-Speed Rail Plan

By Elana Schor | Oct 15, 2009 | No Comments

The White House’s economic stimulus law included several large new spending programs, from $4 billion for broadband to $2.4 billion for electric car batteries. But nothing has aroused so much interest — and criticism — as the $8 billion for American high-speed rail. (Photo: Streetsblog LA) Under the circumstances, one might think that lawmakers would […]

New Orleans GOPer Still Sore at Jindal For Saying No to High-Speed Rail

By Elana Schor | Oct 14, 2009 | 5 Comments

Louisiana Republican Rep. Anh Cao (R) recently appeared with local Democrats at a press conference urging Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) to reconsider his refusal to support a high-speed rail link between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. But it seems that Cao hasn’t given up on prodding his fellow Republican. Rep. Anh Cao (R-LA) (Photo: Times-Picayune) […]

When $1 Billion Doesn’t Buy What it Used To — And When it Does

By Elana Schor | Oct 8, 2009 | 1 Comment

Since Washington’s economic recovery debate first began last fall, advocates for greater infrastructure investment have invoked one phrase more often than almost any other: "Every $1 billion spent on transportation creates 47,500 jobs." How many transportation jobs could this $1 billion create? (Photo: Infosthetics) Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) used that […]

Streetsblog Q&A: Bush DOT Chief Endorses National Transport Goals

By Elana Schor | Oct 8, 2009 | No Comments

Mary Peters, who spent four years as George W. Bush’s Federal Highway Administrator before taking over the U.S. DOT in 2006, has entered the simmering debate over whether Washington should set performance goals for the nation’s transportation system. Her answer: "Absolutely." Former Transportation Secretary Mary Peters (Photo: IU) Peters, who is now working as a […]

Obama’s Engaged With Transit More in 9 Months than Bush Did in 8 Years

By Elana Schor | Oct 7, 2009 | 1 Comment

The Obama administration has brought both good news and bad news to transit riders. But here’s a positive sign you haven’t heard before, straight from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) chief Peter Rogoff: In the nine months of the new presidency, the FTA has fielded more requests for information "directly from the White House" than in […]

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