Elana Schor
Recent Posts
Obama’s Engaged With Transit More in 9 Months than Bush Did in 8 Years
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The Obama administration has brought both good news and bad news to transit riders. But here’s a positive sign you haven’t heard before, straight from Federal Transit Administration chief Peter Rogoff: In the nine months of the new presidency, the FTA has fielded more requests for information "directly from the White House" than in the […]
White House Urban Affairs Chief: Promising Words But Little Hint of a Plan
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Adolfo Carrion Jr., director of the White House’s new Office of Urban Affairs, today vowed to begin reconnecting Washington with the needs of the nation’s cities — even as he offered few tangible plans for breaking through the morass of the federal bureaucracy and effecting change in the near term. White House Urban Affairs director […]
Congress’ Transport Impasse Hits States — and Not Just Their Road Funds
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When lawmakers failed on Wednesday to reach a deal on avoiding the cancellation of $8.7 billion in transportation spending authority, the consequences of Congress’ inaction weren’t immediately palpable to most voters — but the loss is sinking in on the local level. Photo: USGS.gov From Texas to New Jersey to Colorado, local DOT officials are […]
CA Guv Hopeful: Let’s Not Extend Parking Meter Hours in a Recession
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San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has snagged some high-profile support for his nascent California gubernatorial bid, but he may have some trouble with the transit-riding, congestion-weary constituency. My colleagues Matthew Roth and Bryan Goebel have the story over at Streetsblog San Fran: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom Photo: Gawker Mayor Gavin Newsom has been quietly […]
Obama Bans Texting While Driving for Guv Workers — And There’s More
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The U.S. DOT’s distracted driving summit came to a close today with the unveiling of an executive order from President Obama that prohibits federal employees from texting behind the wheel of a government car or using a government-provided messaging device while driving any vehicle. Photo: brainlink.org In addition, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced plans for […]
Senate Climate Bill Released With Much Fanfare, Little Focus on Transport
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Includes Provision That Would Allow NYC Hybrid Taxi Fleet Flanked by fellow Democrats, members of the military, and a crowd hoisting signs with buzzwords like "clean energy" and "green jobs," Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA) today released the first draft of their legislation to curb U.S. emissions and combat climate change. Sens. […]
New Report: Feds Subsidizing Parking Six Times as Much as Transit
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Image: Subsidyscope "Subsidy" is a word used quite often in transportation policy-making circles, whether by road acolytes who claim (falsely) that highways are not federally subsidized because of the gas tax or by transit boosters who lament Washington’s unceasing focus on paying for more local asphalt. But the subsidy debate often overlooks the government tax […]
LaHood Praises NYC But Shrugs at Transport Reform to Empower Cities
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Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised the New York City area’s clean-transportation strategy today in a speech to the region’s metropolitan planning organization (MPO), promising a stronger focus on urban priorities even as he all but ruled out two reforms long sought by the nation’s cities. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (Photo: Zimbio) LaHood’s speech to the […]
Deja Vu: Congress Could Put Off Deal on Transport Bill Until Next Month
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After a day of twists and turns, the House yesterday approved a three-month extension of the current law that governs spending on the nation’s transit, bridges, and roads. Yet the 335-85 vote obscures an ongoing clash between the House and Senate that could extend into a fourth straight month. (Image: East Bay R.E.) House transportation […]
House Voting Today on Transport Law Extension — Or Not?
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(ed. note: This post has been updated to reflect late-breaking news as of Wednesday afternoon.) House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar’s (D-MN) plan for a three-month extension of the 2005 federal infrastructure law, appears on track for a vote this afternoon, despite reports that GOP opposition unexpectedly derailed consideration of the bill. House transport committee […]
Report: 10 Percent Transit Growth Would Help Meet House Climate Target
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Image: U.S. EIA via Climate Progress A 10 percent annual increase in U.S. transit ridership would reduce CO2 emissions by 180 million tons each year, taking the nation halfway to the target set by the House climate change bill within three years, according to a report [PDF] released today by Environment America and the Coalition […]
Oberstar’s 3-Month Transport Bill Extension Heading to House Floor
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A three-month extension of existing federal infrastructure law — which is set to expire in eight days — is headed for a vote in the full House this week, likely as soon as tomorrow, according to a spokesman for transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN). House transport committee chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) (Photo: Bike Portland […]