NATIONAL NEWS

New York Times: How to Run Up a Deficit, Without Fear
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/business/economy/06view.html?_r=1
...But the reverse would be true if government borrowing were used for productive investments. After decades of neglect of the nation’s infrastructure, attractive public investment opportunities abound. It’s been estimated, for example, that eliminating bottlenecks on the Northeast rail corridor would generate $12 billion in benefits at a cost of only $6 billion. These are present value estimates. When government undertakes such investments, our grandchildren become richer, not poorer.

...But the reverse would be true if government borrowing were used for productive investments. After decades of neglect of the nation’s infrastructure, attractive public investment opportunities abound. It’s been estimated, for example, that eliminating bottlenecks on the Northeast rail corridor would generate $12 billion in benefits at a cost of only $6 billion. These are present value estimates. When government undertakes such investments, our grandchildren become richer, not poorer.

Journal of Commerce:  Oberstar: Obama 'Uninformed' on Infrastructure Jobs
http://www.joc.com/node/415080
White House must 'get on board, or we throw them overboard,' House leader says

National Journal: What Have We Learned From The Recovery Act?
http://transportation.nationaljournal.com/2009/12/what-have-we-learned-from-the.php
After nine months of implementing the ARRA, what lessons have we learned that could be applied to the upcoming jobs bill? What has worked that should be continued or expanded? What hasn't worked that should be fixed or scrapped altogether? And to what extent should the legislation try to accomplish larger transportation policy goals than simply generating jobs?

STATE NEWS

Washington Times: States vie for $69B in infrastructure funding
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/07/states-push-for-chunk-of-jobs-bill-to-build-transi/?feat=home_headlines
State transportation officials across the nation are clamoring for $69 billion in infrastructure projects in the jobs bill that President Obama will outline Tuesday, underscoring criticism that his first stimulus gave short shrift to job-creating highway and transit construction.

USA Today: More cities push scooter commuting
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20091204/scooters04_st.art.htm
Some cities are trying to combat traffic congestion by encouraging commuters to hop out of their cars and onto their motor scooters.  San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle and Cincinnati are among cities that have recently created special parking areas for scooters, which some public officials say are more efficient than driving alone in a car.

Detroit News: Hundreds of Mich. road projects slashed
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091207/METRO05/912070355/Hundreds-of-Mich.-road-projects-slashed
Construction projects on Interstates 96, 94, 75 and other Metro Detroit commuter routes are among hundreds to be cut or delayed by the state as the sour economy empties the fund for repairs.  A five-year road and bridge program announced by the Michigan Department of Transportation last week would delay more than 100 road projects and 575 bridge projects statewide. That translates into a 60 percent decrease in road work and more than a 65 percent decrease in bridge projects. Also, more than 375 miles of road improvements would be postponed.  In response, the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association will launch today a statewide push to call the public's attention to the cuts and push for increased investment.

Chronicle Telegram: Depot money might be used to save transit
http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2009/12/05/depot-money-might-be-used-to-save-transit/
U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton will work to divert unused federal stimulus money from the train station restoration project in Elyria to assist Lorain County Transit, whose fixed routes could come to an end on Dec. 31 without outside help, her chief of staff said Friday.  “Congresswoman Sutton is pushing for a modification that would allow additional unused allocated funds to be utilized for operating costs during these challenging economic times,” said Nichole Francis Reynolds, Sutton’s chief of staff.  Lorain County Commissioners Ted Kalo and Lori Kokoski said they are hopeful that at least some - if not all - transit routes could be saved.