Oberstar stymied on transit bill (Politico)
It was supposed to be a career-defining moment for Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.). He finally held the gavel of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, after four decades of waiting and had a like-minded president in office to help enact his sweeping vision for highways and public works.
But Oberstar […]
Highway Bill Delay Seen Stretching into 2011 (The Journal Of Commerce)
New multi-year bill may not pass until spring, Rep. Mica warns
It may be 2011 before Congress passes a surface transportation bill, says Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., ranking Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“I think we’re looking at spring, though I […]
Innovative Financing Is No Substitute for New Funding (Innovation Briefs)
Hoping to sustain interest in the Committee’s efforts to enact a new multi-year transportation bill during this session of Congress, Reps. James Oberstar (D-MN) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR), leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, convened a hearing on April 14 to explore innovative ways […]
Conti Urges Subcommittee to Support Variety of Financing Sources (AASHTO Journal)
April 16, 2010
In light of falling gas-tax revenues and the increasing complexity of many transportation infrastructure projects, a number of federal financing sources need to be made available to state DOTs, North Carolina Transportation Secretary Gene Conti told the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee […]
Senate Set to Extend SAFETEA-LU (Journal of Commerce)
Second bill to transfer $20 billion to Highway Trust Fund
Senators are expected within the next two weeks to introduce legislation to sustain surface transportation spending, John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials, said Tuesday.
Senators Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and James Inhofe, […]
Highway Bill Detoured (The Journal of Commerce)
Washington’s focus on jobs and search for revenue keep transportation bill parked in Congress
The drumbeat of jobs, jobs, jobs in Washington and debate on financing have become major roadblocks to getting a six-year $500 billion transportation bill into gear and onto a fast-paced road to passage.
Infrastructure advocates […]
No commitment from President Obama on $500 billion transportation bill (The Hill)
President Barack Obama has yet to back a $500 billion transportation bill that Democrats plan to move early this year.
During a closed-door session with the entire House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), the chief sponsor of the transportation reauthorization measure, pressed Obama […]
New highway program needs to be comprehensive, forward thinking, LaHood says (The Trucker News Services)
Regional and local transportation authorities must be empowered to invest in all kinds of projects, LaHood told the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today called on Congress to pass what he called […]
Legislation would return interest earned to Highway Trust Fund (Journal of Commerce)
The House is expected to vote this afternoon on a trio of intertwined measures that will extend the Department of Transportation’s highway program at current budget levels, puts the Highway Trust Fund on a firmer financial footing, and allocates nearly $49 billion for infrastructure […]
LaHood: Ban lobbyists, earmarks in second stimulus (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON — The latest government effort to create jobs should have the same tough restrictions on lobbyists and lawmakers’ pet projects as the $787 billion stimulus plan did, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday.
LaHood is the first official to say whether the administration wants to replicate the […]
