With gas tax revenues dropping due to changes in Americans’ driving habits, White House officials think they have an easy fix — raid the federal transit fund, right as commuters are hopping on trains and buses in record numbers. (New York Times — Matthew Wald)

U.S. House approves $1 billion plan, sponsored by Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), to upgrade nation’s bridges and improve safety measures. (Minneapolis Star Tribune — Kevin Diaz)

States across the country are in a panic over their declining revenue from federal and state gas taxes, and many are simply hoping that “Washington will find a way.” (Stateline — Stephen C. Fehr)

While Democrats and Republicans have few options for offering immediate relief for Americans burdened by high gas prices, both sides are hoping they can capitalize on the issue come November. (New York Times — Carl Hulse)

Nearly one year after the Minnesota bridge collapse, the U.S. House is expected to vote today on a bill sponsored by Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) that would authorize $1 billion to rebuild structurally deficient bridges in the national highway system and tighten safety requirements. (Minneapolis Star Tribune – Frederic Frommer)

Declining gas tax revenues are drying up the federal pot of money for transportation, and the House of Representatives approved an $8 billion injection on Wednesday to offer some relief. But the White House has other plans — administration officials are threatening a veto of the bill and propose instead to divert money away from [...]

U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is floating the idea of passing a second stimulus package this year, which would devote almost $15 billion to spending on infrastructure. (Reuters)

The federal government’s decision to cut off funding for bus routes intended to serve school kids is going to leave schools and their students out in the cold, according to one commentator. (Campaign for America’s Future — Isaiah J. Poole)

If anyone has any doubts as to whether federal transportation funds are skewed towards highways over public transportation, perhaps this chart can clear things up. (Streetsblog — Aaron Naperstek)

This year’s proposal to offer drivers a “summer holiday” on the federal gas tax — an idea endorsed by Hillary Clinton and John McCain — died a predictable death before it caught much traction. Now, some politicians are thinking the unthinkable and quietly floating the idea of raising the gas tax. (Associated Press — Jim [...]