Elana Schor
Recent Posts
Portland’s Transport Research Guru Headed to Obama Administration
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The U.S. DOT is expected to announce today that it has tapped Robert Bertini, a Portland State University professor who headed Oregon’s state-wide transport research effort, as the No. 2 at the Research and Innovative Technology Administration — the government’s home for stats on all things transportation. Robert Bertini (Photo: Oregonian) Bertini’s hiring is an […]
Following ‘Cash for Clunkers’ with ‘Riches for Rail’
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(Photo: Washington Post) Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, began his hearing on transit today by displaying the above cartoon by Pulitzer prize-winner Tom Toles. The senator’s message parallels Toles’: In a world where the auto industry can get $2 billion more in one week, what’s to be done about […]
Separating Myth from Fact on “Cash for Clunkers”
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As debate rages on in the capital over whether to keep assisting the auto industry by giving out more "cash for clunkers" rebates, two assertions are becoming commonplace: the program is helping diminish U.S. oil consumption, and the program is not paid for with new money. (Photo: AP) The first argument was reiterated on Friday […]
How — and When — Can D.C. Help Local Transport Reform Happen?
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A map of the areas served by transport MPOs, pictured in color. (Photo: NARC via Kaid Benfield) In a new op-ed for Citiwire, former Indianapolis mayor and GOP member of Congress Bill Hudnut suggests six ways that Washington can train the nation’s 350-plus metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) into tools for smart and environmentally sound transportation […]
Federal Government Racing to Give $2 Billion More for Cash for Clunkers
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The "cash for clunkers" rebate program, which promises new auto buyers up to $4,500 for fuel-efficiency upgrades as small as 2 miles per gallon, is back to life after burning through $1 billion in taxpayer money. Minutes ago, the House approved $2 billion more in auto rebates by transferring cash that was already headed for […]
‘Cash for Clunkers’ Out of Cash — But Not Quite Finished
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The U.S. DOT may have notified car dealers last night that its watered-down "cash for clunkers" plan was already out of cash, but that doesn’t mean the rebates are on their last legs. With the White House vowing to protect the program, Congress soon could have to decide whether to keep the good times rolling […]
McCain & Coburn: Let’s Make Roads Safer — by Slashing Safety Money
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A report released today [PDF] by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), timed to coincide with debate on a $7 billion highway trust fund fix, accuses their fellow lawmakers of "raiding" the fund for transportation "pet projects." Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) (Photo: City-Data.com) What wasteful projects have drawn such scorn from the duo? […]
Senate Panel Backs $1.2B for High Speed Rail, $1.4B Extra For Highways
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The Senate panel in charge of transportation spending has just released its version of the budget bill that passed the House last week, giving less to high-speed rail and more to highways than the lower chamber of Congress. The Senate’s transportation bill, shepherded by senior appropriator Patty Murray (D-WA), provides $1.2 billion for the Obama […]
Your Burger or Your Car! (And More Fun with False Dichotomies)
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The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein, whose blog is a must-read look at the political dynamics of congressional policy-making, makes an eyebrow-raising assertion in his food column today: Photo: CowCar It’s not simply that meat is a contributor to global warming; it’s that it is a huge contributor. Larger, by a significant margin, than the global […]
Oberstar to White House: On Emissions, Back Up Your Words With Action
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Appearing this morning at the release of a new report on transportation’s role in fighting climate change, House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) challenged the Obama administration to back up their emissions rhetoric with action and pass his six-year, $450 billion infrastructure bill. FTA’s Peter Rogoff (in hard hat) heard strong words from Rep. […]
The Capitol’s 10 Transportation Players to Know
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Even occasional observers of the national transportation scene can probably recognize House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) or Senate environment committee chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) — but what about the advisers who act as their eyes and ears in drafting policy? Here’s a look at 10 of Congress’ biggest transportation power players, courtesy of […]
From the Dept. of Mixed Messages: LaHood Touts ‘Cash for Clunkers’
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Two weeks ago, Ray LaHood candidly addressed the need to reduce the nation’s vehicle miles traveled in order to halt the devastating effects of climate change. But the Transportation Secretary had a decidedly different message today. (Photo: NYT) "Go out and buy a car, Americans!" LaHood decreed this morning as he and lawmakers from auto-producing […]