In April, before the House transportation bill was introduced, Rep. Jim Oberstar (D., Minn.), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, talked with Blueprint America about the legislation.
Blogs
THE DIG :: July 22nd, 2009
Rep. Jim Oberstar on the transportation bill
THE DIG :: July 21st, 2009
The Ride: In the Senate, $26.8 Billion Highway Trust Fund Rescue
As the House version of a new transportation bill to reauthorize and reform the current federal transportation law, which expires at the end of September, remains in the House, the Senate has made two significant moves in the past week to postpone the debate for a new law.
THE DIG :: July 17th, 2009
The Ride: 18-month extension passes the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
An 18-month extension of the existing transportation law cleared the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee this week. As the Senate, for the most part, falls in line with the Obama Administration, bipartisan support for the new bill remains significant.
BLUEPRINT AMERICA :: July 17th, 2009
Road to the Future: Interview: Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
In May, the Secretary of Transportation talked with Blueprint America for the Road to the Future documentary on PBS. Sec. LaHood's comments illustrate that the Administration wants transportation reform, but just not now -- especially if it means raising the gas tax in these economic times.
THE DIG :: July 13th, 2009
Healthcare, not transportation: Ways and Means Committee puts Oberstar’s bill on hold
Rep. Jim Oberstar (D., MN), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been at odds with the Obama Administration on when to take up his recently introduced transportation bill: THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009.
THE DIG :: July 1st, 2009
Transit State of Disrepair
A 2008 report by the Federal Transit Administration, “Transit State of Good Repair,” said one-quarter of the nation’s bus and rail assets are in marginal or poor condition. Still, any federal mass-transit inspections or findings are nothing but symbolic at-best. Unlike with the Food and Drug Administration, for example, the government cannot recall flawed equipment or issue citations for ignoring recommendations.
THE DIG :: June 30th, 2009
Some transit stimulus now available for operating costs
When the stimulus bill was passed last February, it sent billions of dollars to the nation's mass-transit agencies. Still, the money was purposed for only new equipment and construction -- nothing to operate the systems, even as many are cutting service, laying off workers or raising fares.
THE DIG :: June 25th, 2009
Rep. John Mica on the transportation bill
An interview with the ranking minority member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee about the recent developments of the transportation bill.
THE DIG :: June 25th, 2009
D.C. Metro accident update: The aging U.S. transit system
The Monday Metro accident in Washington, D.C., when a train car rear-ended another killing nine people, involved some of the oldest cars in the city’s young subway system. The cars had already been said to have vulnerabilities. Washington, however, is not the exception for using equipment that is outdated.




(4 votes)







