Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Streetsblog Capitol Hill

White House Economic Report Touts TIGER, High-Speed Rail, Transit

By Elana Schor | Feb 12, 2010 | 2 Comments

The White House Council of Economic Advisers’ first annual report under President Obama made headlines today for its gloomy job-creation outlook, but tucked inside its 462 pages is a tangible reflection of a changed outlook on transportation policy under the new administration. Top White House economic adviser Christina Romer, at right, holds up yesterday’s report. […]

Bipartisan Senate Jobs Bill Has Highway Trust Fund Rescue But No TIGER

By Elana Schor | Feb 11, 2010 | 6 Comments

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and his panel’s senior Republican, Chuck Grassley (IA), today offered a job-creation proposal designed to garner enough GOP votes to overcome an anticipated filibuster. Senate Finance Committee chief Max Baucus (D-MT), at left, with GOP ally Chuck Grassley (IA) at right. (Photo: Baucus Press) The measure’s transportation provisions […]

D.C., VA, MD to Apply for Federal Aid as Snow Eats Into Transport Budgets

By Elana Schor | Feb 11, 2010 | 2 Comments

The scene in D.C. this week. (Photo: thisisbossi via Flickr) Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are set to apply for federal disaster aid to offset the costs of cleanup from this month’s record-breaking mid-Atlantic blizzards, according to the Washington Post reports today. But the so-called Snowpocalypse could dent more than just worker productivity — already […]

AASHTO Stimulus Report Omits Jobs Data Comparing Transit With Roads

By Elana Schor | Feb 10, 2010 | 1 Comment

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the trade group representing state DOTs in Washington, yesterday unveiled a website and report billed as a one-year "progress report" on the White House’s $34.3 billion in formula-based transportation stimulus spending. (Photo: WBEZ) AASHTO’s report, citing data furnished to Congress, noted that 77 percent of […]

The Gas Tax Versus a VMT Tax: Is ‘All of the Above’ an Option?

By Elana Schor | Feb 10, 2010 | 22 Comments

(Chart: Oregon DOT) The prospect of an eventual move away from the gas tax and towards a fee on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has sparked consternation from some well-known bloggers this week, with Matt Yglesias asserting that "a VMT [tax] has no advantages whatsoever over higher gasoline taxes" and Andrew Samwick suggesting that declining fuel […]

First Lady Launches Childhood Obesity Push With Nod to Biking & Walking

By Elana Schor | Feb 9, 2010 | 1 Comment

First Lady Michelle Obama took to the mikes this afternoon to kick off a national campaign to combat childhood obesity, emphasizing new initiatives to promote biking and walking alongside a strong focus on healthier food options in schools. The first lady visited "Sesame Street" last fall as part of her push to fight childhood obesity. […]

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