NATIONAL NEWS

USA Today: Obama Stimulus Reduced Our Pain, Experts Say
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2010-01-25-usa-today-economic-survey-obama-stimulus_N.htm
President Obama's stimulus package saved jobs — but the government still needs to do more to breathe life into the economy, according to USA TODAY's quarterly survey of 50 economists....But almost two-thirds of the economists said the government should do more to spur job growth. Suggestions included suspending payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare, increasing spending on infrastructure, enacting a flat tax on income and extending jobless benefits.

Industry Week: New Study Projects Creation of 11 Million Jobs if U.S. Policies Change
http://www.industryweek.com/articles/new_study_projects_creation_of_11_million_jobs_if_u-s-_policies_change_20929.aspx?SectionID=1
A new economic report conducted by the Milken Institute and sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) shows that changes to economic and tax policies and investment in key infrastructure project categories could create more than 11 million jobs in the United States this decade.  The study analyzes how reducing corporate tax rates, establishing a permanent research and development (R&D) credit, modernizing the U.S. system of export controls and making major investments in energy and transportation infrastructure would create jobs and make the United States more competitive.

STATE NEWS

DC Streetsblog: In the White House’s High-Speed Rail Chase, a First Likely Winner: Florida
http://dc.streetsblog.org/2010/01/25/the-first-winner/
The prediction that Rep. John Mica (R-FL) backtracked on last month is starting to come true: President Obama is headed for Florida on Thursday, and the state is all but certain that he's coming with $2.6 billion in federal stimulus funding for a new high-speed rail link between Tampa and Orlando.

Clinton Herald: Highway coalitions heading to Des Moines
http://www.clintonherald.com/local/local_story_026095230.html
Highway coalitions from across Iowa, including advocates for U.S. 30 enhancements, will meet in Des Moines on Wednesday to advocate for stability in transportation investments in the state.  “We will be asking Legislators to protect the funds directed to transportation infrastructure spending,” stated Shirley Phillips, president of the Highway 20 Corridor Association and executive director of Sac Economic and Tourism Development, in a press release. “We cannot combat the economic downturn without adequate infrastructure in place to maintain and grow business. Attracting new business places even greater need on having the resources in place to meet their needs for shipping goods and moving people.”

Denver Post: Tolling gets another look on three congested metro Denver road corridors
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14256395#ixzz0djshJhhn
The perennial shortfall in public money available for new highway lanes has state and local officials looking once again at tolling and private investment as a way to add road capacity in tough economic times.

Clarion Ledger: Jackson council to consider request for state aid
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100125/NEWS/100125027/Jackson+council+to+consider+state+aid+request
The Jackson City Council will take up a resolution Tuesday asking the Legislature for money to fix the city's crumbling water infrastructure as the city continues to measure the impact of this month's water crisis.