Recent Streetsblog USA posts about 2009 Transportation Bill

Introducing the Samuelson Gas Tax Increase: A Penny Every Month

By Elana Schor | Nov 17, 2009 | No Comments

Democratic lawmakers are discussing the possibility of a one-year stopgap transportation bill but have yet to reach consensus on how to pay for the measure, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) said today. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) (Photo: Politics Daily) Carper, speaking at a National Journal policy conference, said the prospects for short-term transport legislation still depend […]

Voinovich Has a Job-Creation Proposal for the President

By Elana Schor | Nov 13, 2009 | No Comments

Before leaving for Asia yesterday, President Obama announced a job creation summit to take place next month and declared himself "open to any demonstrably good idea" to cut the rising unemployment rate. Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) (Photo: UPI) Taking the president at his word, Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) fired off a letter today with a […]

‘The Concrete is Cracking’: Front-Loaded New Transport Bill Gains Steam

By Elana Schor | Nov 6, 2009 | 3 Comments

With the U.S. unemployment rate hitting 10.2 percent today, its highest level in 26 years, a palpable shift is occurring on Capitol Hill. House transportation chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) (Photo: STLToday) For weeks, we’ve heard senior Democrats and the transit industry make the case for more transportation spending as a potent job creator, but the […]

The New Curveball: A $150 Billion Transportation Down Payment

By Elana Schor | Oct 29, 2009 | No Comments

At an event with Dick Durbin (IL), the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA) today threw a curveball into Washington’s ongoing back-and-forth over economic recovery, suggesting a $150 billion "front-loaded" transportation stimulus for next year. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) (Photo: STLtoday) Appearing at the Capitol, Durbin sought to bolster Congress’ credentials […]

Inhofe Blasts Transport Bill Inaction That Comes From His Own Party

By Elana Schor | Oct 29, 2009 | 1 Comment

The Senate environment committee’s senior Republican, Jim Inhofe (OK), delivered a stern warning today to any lawmakers who would force another short-term extension of federal transportation programs, which are set to expire at midnight Saturday. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) (Photo: NewsOK) "We have bridges in Oklahoma that are crumbling and falling down. People could be […]

Transportation Policy Becomes the Proverbial Tree Falling in the Forest

By Elana Schor | Oct 28, 2009 | 1 Comment

Halfway through this afternoon’s rally in support of a new federal transportation bill, there came an accidental but telling moment. A group of tourists, attracted by the hundreds of orange flags planted in the National Mall for the rally, walked through the event and whispered questions to attendees about its purpose. Once their curiosity was […]

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