CONTACT: Cosabeth Bullock 202-478-6128 cbullock@mrss.com Paula Chrin 202-478-6138 pchrin@mrss.com WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress this week again postponed action on the overdue rewrite of the federal transportation law, passing a continuing resolution set to expire on December 18. In response to this action, Transportation for America Director James Corless released the following statement: “Congress has once [...]

With the House passing a $7 billion patch for the Highway Trust Fund yesterday afternoon to keep it from running out of money before September, we thought it might be useful to post a brief Q&A about the trust fund patch and how the full six-year transportation authorization bill could be affected. The $7 billion patch moves to the Senate for a vote, probably this afternoon, before reaching President Obama’s desk.

When DOT Secretary LaHood was on Capitol Hill a few weeks ago discussing the Obama Administration’s plan for a transitional transportation bill, he mentioned that their plan for an 18-month extension would “enact critical reforms” while stopping short of a fundamental overhaul of the program — leaving that for the full six-year bill. A lot of transportation advocates were left wondering what sort of reforms the administration would propose. Today we got a first look at their general proposal.

Paratransit — which is used to provide critical transportation service for people with disabilities — faces severe funding challenges in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune) DC’s Metro tragedy makes clear the need for repair work on America’s aging rail system. (New York Times) Some city officials say the distribution of stimulus funds favors small towns and rural [...]

We need you to make one call to Congress and ensure that transportation spending delivers. Click here for details on making a call. Or just call the Congressional Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and tell your Representative to support the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009. (HR 2724) As we post this, Chairman James Oberstar’s transportation bill [...]

Capitol Hill is buzzing with the news. As you may have heard, Chairman Oberstar and his House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released the full 775-page transportation bill earlier this afternoon. Rep. Oberstar is poised to get his six-year bill moving this week, and the Obama administration is pushing Congress to pass a (shorter) funding plan quickly. Why the rush? Because transportation funding is running out. Tell your representative to make a stand: no more money without real reform!

Chairman Jim Oberstar and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have released the full 775-page transportation bill text. Download it here. (pdf) Check back here for details over the coming week.

By living closer to jobs and school, city dwellers cut down on carbon emissions. (Chicago Sun-Times) Health researchers note that obesity and climate change have many of the same roots — including an auto-dependent lifestyle. (Grist) The unpredictable nature of climate change could have dangerous effects on our transportation system. (ClimateBiz)

The Economist looks ahead at the transportation bill and talks to T4 America Campaign Director James Corless. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asks for an 18-month extension on the current transportation bill, as Rep. James Oberstar releases an outline of a new one. (Wall Street Journal) Streetsblog breaks down Oberstar’s outline. A new study shows that [...]

Full Transportation Bill Outline (.PDF) For those readers brave enough to wade into 90 pages of policy detail, we know have Rep. James Oberstar’s full outline proposal for the next transportation bill. At a press conference to discuss the release this afternoon, John Mica, the Republican Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said [...]