Recent Streetsblog LA posts about Transportation Policy

Is 2010 the Year for Federal Bike Aid? The Answer: A Big ‘Maybe’

By Elana Schor | Mar 15, 2010 | No Comments

This week’s National Bike Summit culminated in an ambitious new campaign to recruit a million bike advocates and the unveiling of a new Google Maps bike feature. But in a Wednesday session dedicated to the outlook for federal bike investments, cycling advocates hesitated to declare that they could secure new commitments from Washington. Rep. Earl […]

New House Jobs Bill Dominated by Aid to Cities

By Elana Schor | Mar 11, 2010 | No Comments

Soon after the Senate signed off yesterday on a $150 billion package of tax extenders and unemployment benefits that was promoted as a job-creation measure — a bill that lacked dedicated new funding for transportation — Democrats on the House education and labor committee were releasing their own jobs legislation. The House proposal also lacks […]

Why Are Cyclists Included in Distracted Driving Bill?

By Matthew Roth | Mar 5, 2010 | 42 Comments

Photo: markofphotography A bill introduced last month by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who has been a steady advocate for reducing the dangers of distracted driving, would increase first-time and repeat fines for drivers who text while driving or who don’t use hands-free devices, and would extend the prohibition of cell phone use to […]

House Passes Jobs Bill with Changes, Prompting New Senate Vote

By Elana Schor | Mar 4, 2010 | No Comments

The House has just begun voting on the Senate jobs bill, which includes a $20 billion reprieve for the nation’s highway trust fund and an highway expansion of Build America Bonds — but though the legislation is expected to pass, it won’t be headed to the president’s desk yet. Rep. Pete DeFazio (D-OR) (Photo: UPI) […]

Bunning Throws in the Towel, Congress Restores Transport Funding

By Elana Schor | Mar 3, 2010 | No Comments

Workers at the U.S. DOT and on transportation projects around the country are back on the job today after Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) lost his politically hazardous battle against a 30-day extension of federal infrastructure law and unemployment benefits. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) (Photo: CNN) But while Republicans sought to distance themselves from Bunning’s five-day […]

Transportation Filibuster Update: Bunning Won’t Yield to Fellow GOPer

By Elana Schor | Mar 2, 2010 | No Comments

Federal infrastructure funding and many U.S. DOT workers remain in limbo today as Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) continues his one-man filibuster of legislation extending the 2005 transport law, turning himself into a Democratic target and a poster child for Washington gridlock. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) was heard quipping "tough s—t" as he began blocking an […]

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