Recent Streetsblog LA posts about Transportation Policy

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

By Elana Schor | Feb 10, 2010 | 4 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 […]

Senate Weighs $14B for Roads, $7.5B for Transit in Jobs Bill

By Elana Schor | Jan 27, 2010 | 1 Comment

Senate Democrats huddled behind closed doors this afternoon to assess their options for a new job-creation bill, with one option of around $80 billion making headlines even second-ranked leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) warned that no details are set in stone. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) (Photo: STLToday) But as Democrats debate the wisdom of […]

U.S. DOT Previews How New Transit Rules Could Define ‘Livability’

By Elana Schor | Jan 21, 2010 | 1 Comment

When the Obama administration announced an ambitious revamp of transit funding rules to, as the Transportation Secretary put it, "take livability into account," urban planners and transit advocates alike were pleased — but also uncertain. Baltimore’s rail network, with the proposed new Red Line — which could get a boost from the U.S. DOT’s livability […]

Dodd and DeLauro Vow to Get Infrastructure Bank Done This Year

By Elana Schor | Jan 20, 2010 | No Comments

Supporters from every corner of the transportation universe joined Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) today at a press event aimed at jumpstarting a National Infrastructure Bank (NIB), which the two Connecticut lawmakers vowed to steer to passage this year. Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), above, founded BAF with […]

The MA Senate Race: Consequences for Transport and Climate Policy

By Elana Schor | Jan 20, 2010 | No Comments

Democrats awoke this morning to find their worst fears realized, as lackluster Senate hopeful Martha Coakley (D-MA) was upset by Republican Scott Brown. Voters, lawmakers, and advocates are left to wonder what becomes of their issues in a year already marked by political upheaval. Sen.-elect Scott Brown (R-MA), with his family on election night. (Photo: […]

Obama Quietly Gets Federal Agencies Involved in Transport Planning

By Elana Schor | Jan 19, 2010 | 1 Comment

When President Obama signed an executive order in October requiring federal agencies to craft strategies for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, he described the mandate as Washington "lead[ing] by example" on the pollution-reduction front. (Photo: AP) And that’s true — but the order also includes language telling federal agencies to get involved in integrating local […]

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