NATIONAL NEWS
WSJ: The U.S. Needs an Infrastructure Bank
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704586504574654682516084584.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTTopOpinion
... Infrastructure banks have proven successful elsewhere in the world, most notably in the European Union where the European Investment Bank has been operating successfully for over 50 years. That bank is one of the top five issuers of debt in the world. In 2008, it lent 58 billion euros ($81 billion) to finance projects, and had a target of $112 billion last year. It's time we accept that government alone can no longer finance all of the nation's infrastructure requirements. A national infrastructure bank could fill the gap.
Ken Orski: Transportation Program Reform Facing an Uncertain Future
http://www.cascadiaprospectus.org/2010/01/transportation_program_reform.php
As we enter the new year--and celebrate the 21st year of publication of our newsletter--one thing is certain: the federal surface transportation program, as indeed the nation's transportation future, remains in a state of flux...Environmental advocacy groups, while supportive of the House measure, expressed disappointment that it failed to focus on long-term transportation reform or include a National Infrastructure Bank.
Brookings: The Status Report: Obama's Plans to Rebuild American Prosperity
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0115_prosperity_katz_puentes.aspx
One year ago, Brookings experts wrote a series of 12 memos to the incoming president on the most pressing policy issues facing the country. Now they assess the administration’s progress on those issues in The Status Report, a daily series of commentary with video to be featured in POLITICO's Arena. Bruce Katz and Robert Puentes give the president and his administration an A- for boosting infrastructure spending and for initiating policy reforms and innovations in the first year. On the bigger effort to rebuild American prosperity, however, they feel that the work is, thus far, incomplete... We recommended a range of funding and finance vehicles, such as a national infrastructure bank, to target those infrastructure projects (from road and rails to ports and pipes) that have the highest return on investment. We offered a re-imagined partnership with states and localities and the use of market mechanisms and pricing to deliver better outcomes. To better align these efforts we advocated for better coordination among the myriad agencies that construct, use, maintain and operate under this broad umbrella of “infrastructure.”
DC Streetsblog: Cutting Transit Means Cutting Independence
http://dc.streetsblog.org/2010/01/15/cutting-transit-means-cutting-independence/
Today on the Streetsblog Network, a post from member blog VTA Watch, which covers the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority in California. The blog's author discusses the impact of upcoming service cuts on the people whose mobility, and ability to participate meaningfully in their communities, depends on public transit. The post also goes on to argue that even people who drive cars benefit from the existence of public transit -- whose ongoing viability is threatened by cutbacks...
STATE NEWS
WSJ: New Transit-Funding Rules Make Streetcars More Desirable
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704675104575001560050211080.html
The Obama administration said it was revamping rules on federal transit funding to funnel more of the money to streetcars, bus routes and other projects that promote "livability." The new policy announced Wednesday, part of a broader effort by the Obama administration to use transportation and housing programs to reduce driving, contain sprawl and create transit-related jobs, could lift the fortunes of makers of light-rail and other transit equipment sold to states and cities. Among more than 80 cities that could now qualify for funding are Seattle; Cincinnati; Boise, Idaho; and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D., Ore.), who led the push for a federal program designed to promote transit projects. Transit-industry officials said many projects had been stymied by a Bush administration policy requiring the government to evaluate projects based largely on reducing commuting times at the lowest possible expense.
Washington Post: McDonnell plans to delay legislative fixes on transportation
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011404626.html
Despite making transportation a top priority during last year's campaign, Gov.-elect Robert F. McDonnell (R) said Thursday that he will not propose a fix during this year's legislative session.
Macon.com: Perdue seeks $300M for transportation projects
http://www.macon.com/741/story/986155.html
Gov. Sonny Perdue said Thursday he will recommend an extra $300 million for transportation projects this year, then push for regional votes in 2012 to add another penny to local sales taxes for more roads, bridges and mass transit. The vote would be taken statewide, but votes would be counted separately in individual regions. That means metro Atlanta and other areas could decide whether to charge an extra penny on the dollar to pay for transportation projects throughout the region.
MyStateline.com: Quinn: High-Speed Rail The Future Of American Transportation
http://mystateline.com/common/printerfriendly.php?cid=129101
Governor Pat Quinn has renewed efforts for a new high-speed rail line between Chicago and St. Louis. Speaking during his state of the state address, Quinn said that high-speed rail is the "wave of the future." He added Illinois has promised 400-million dollars towards and interstate rail line for most of the Midwest. Quinn also said he's waiting to hear from the federal government on the potential high speed network where Illinois would serve as the central hub for the Midwest.
AP: Group lobbies for high-speed rail funds for Fla.
http://www.montereyherald.com/business/ci_14189761?nclick_check=1
A grass-roots group calling for federal stimulus money for a bullet train in Florida is taking it to the streets. The group of business, civic and political leaders has rallies scheduled Tuesday in Tampa and Orlando to introduce a new lobbying campaign. The group says the proposed Orlando-to-Tampa high-speed train could create 23,000 construction and engineering jobs over four years, and 600 jobs when the train begins running in 2015. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, U.S. Rep Kathy Castor and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio are among the leaders of the effort, which includes TV ads asking Floridians to help by contacting the White House.
Posted on
Friday, January 15, 2010
by Laura Braden