Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Streetsblog Capitol Hill

New Poll: 27% of Public Would Cut Transit Aid, Versus 12% for Highways

By Elana Schor | Apr 8, 2010 | 6 Comments

(Graphic: Annie Lowrey) The latest weekly edition of the Economist/YouGov poll asks where, if a balanced federal budget were the goal, the American public would rather see cuts to federal spending. As the chart above shows, transit was given the theoretical axe by 27 percent of respondents, tied with agriculture and housing but far behind […]

Amtrak on Pace to Break Annual Ridership Record

By Elana Schor | Apr 8, 2010 | 4 Comments

Amtrak carried 13.6 million passengers over the past six months, putting it on pace for a record-breaking ridership year, according to a statement released today by officials at the national inter-city rail system. Amtrak’s Acela line carried 13.5 percent more riders last month than in March 2009. (Photo: Flickr/pgengler) Every one of Amtrak’s lines recorded […]

Feds Stepping Up Enforcement of Distracted Driving Laws in Two Cities

By Elana Schor | Apr 8, 2010 | 1 Comment

The Obama administration today launched what it describes as the first federal push for increased enforcement of distracted driving laws, funding local police crackdowns in two northeastern cities aimed at drivers using hand-held cell phones. (Photo: Girl’s First Car) The law enforcement boost, which begins today in Hartford, Connecticut, and on Saturday in Syracuse, New […]

Federal Energy Forecast: Gas Nearing $3/Gallon, Fuel Consumption Up

By Elana Schor | Apr 8, 2010 | 6 Comments

Average gas prices are expected to hit $2.92 during this summer’s peak driving season, with fossil-fuel consumption rising overall as the economy begins to recover from a recession that limited U.S. emissions growth, according to a forecast released this week by the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA). (Photo: Pop and Politics) The EIA’s latest short-term […]

Can L.A. Put the “10” in Its “30/10” Transit Plan?

By Elana Schor | Apr 7, 2010 | No Comments

As Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa continues to push for federal help with expediting his "30/10" transit expansion plan, winning support from California’s Democratic senators, one big question remains unanswered: Can the city actually get all of its 13 proposed projects done within a decade, even if Washington steps in? Over at Streetsblog LA, Damien […]

Who’s Afraid of Federal Action on Climate Change?

By Elana Schor | Apr 7, 2010 | No Comments

In financial reports that publicly traded companies file to their investors and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the words "material adverse effect" are often found. Automakers are bracing for new fuel-efficiency standards more than any coming climate bill. (Photo: TreeHugger) Put simply, the phrase is a red flag for any factor that could significantly […]

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