Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Barack Obama

Federal Government Offers a Helping Hand to Six Struggling Cities

By Angie Schmitt | Jul 14, 2011 | No Comments

In a move to help buoy crisis-stricken cities, the Obama Administration this week introduced a program designed to provide administrative support to help local government officials “cut through the red tape” and access urgent federal assistance. “Strong Cities, Strong Communities” will offer expert technical support — but not additional funding — in the areas of […]

The Dangers of Touting the Job-Creation Benefits of Transpo Investment

By Tanya Snyder | Jul 1, 2011 | 3 Comments

Earlier this week, President Obama spoke to reporters at the White House. Fully aware of the growing concern in the country over the “jobless recovery,” Obama led off by talking about jobs – and pushing Congress to pass a transportation reauthorization. But was he using the wrong talking point? “Right now, Congress could send me […]

Sens. Rockefeller, Lautenberg Compete With Kerry’s Infrastructure Bank

By Tanya Snyder | May 12, 2011 | No Comments

In February, President Obama released his transportation plan, which included the launch of a national infrastructure bank. The next month, Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced a bill to create a similar bank, but with some key distinctions. And yesterday, Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), […]

Why (Much of) Obama’s Transpo Plan Can Survive the GOP Knife

By Tanya Snyder | May 6, 2011 | 3 Comments

Yesterday, anti-rail curmudgeon Ken Orski of Innovation Briefs quoted me in his latest diatribe against the administration’s transportation proposal, in which he explains why the Obama plan is unrealistic. Indeed, I think it’s safe to say the dollar amount of the administration’s bill is a non-starter in today’s political and economic climate, given that it’s […]

Two Years After the Stimulus Bill: Still a Political Grudge Match

By Angie Schmitt | May 6, 2011 | No Comments

President Obama’s stimulus bill is one of a small handful of pieces of legislation that have come to define his presidency. Whether you think it was a smashing success or a dismal failure seems to depend on whether there’s an R or a D next to your name. Was the $787 billion spending package was […]

Well That Was Quick: Obama Disavows Mileage Fee Proposal

By Tanya Snyder | May 5, 2011 | 8 Comments

The Hill is reporting that the Obama administration has already sworn off a move toward a vehicle-miles-traveled fee. We just reported that an undated draft of the administration transportation proposal included the creation of an office to study the feasibility of implementing such a system to replace the traditional fuel tax. The Hill’s Keith Laing […]

Show More Stories