NATIONAL NEWS

Journal of Commerce: Senate Passes Jobs Bill with Transport Funds
http://www.joc.com/government-regulation/senate-passes-jobs-bill
Senate Democrats got support from eight additional Republicans Wednesday to pass a jobs bill by a 70-28 margin. Five Republicans supported the majority to block a filibuster on the bill on Monday.  The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act includes an extension of the current highway and transit spending programs known as SAFETEA-LU and funds to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent.  The current SAFETEA-LU extensions expire Feb. 28, and the industry is looking to the House to approve the Senate bill or call for a conference before the deadline.

LA Times: Senate jobs bill a starting point for more legislation
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-senate-jobs25-2010feb25,0,1762661.story
..."Today, 70 senators voted 'aye' and recognized the need to put jobs over politics," said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "The infrastructure measures in this bill are going to save or create well over a million jobs." ...The bill now heads to the House, where leaders there must decide whether to pass the Senate bill unchanged or attempt to reconcile it with a much more sweeping $154-billion bill passed there in December.

STATE NEWS

CT Mirror:  Shut out of federal transportation grants, state is offered help by U.S. DOT
http://www.ctmirror.org/story/shut-out-federal-transportation-grants-state-offered-help-us-dot
Following Connecticut's dismal record in getting money for transportation projects from stimulus grants, the U.S. Transportation Secretary announced the state will receive help in submitting future grant applications to assure the state is competitive.  "My department will meet with each and every Connecticut applicant to ensure that they are fully prepared to compete later this year," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

KPCC: LA Mayor Villaraigosa asks Congress for bridge loan to build 'Subway to the Sea'
http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/02/23/la-mayor-antonio-villaraigosa-asks-congress-bridge/
Villaraigosa wants to build the “Subway to the Sea” within 10 years.
The problem is that it will take three times that long for a voter-approved half-cent sales tax to pay for it.  The mayor is trying to convince Washington to guarantee a “bridge loan” that would pay for faster construction. He says his pitch is unique, that "at a time when almost states and most cities are going to Washington with one hand open, we’re going with money in one hand and an open hand for a partnership in the other."