The long-awaited allocations in the Senate climate bill were released over the weekend, and the news is good for increasing access to cleaner transportation options. Late Friday evening, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee released the final numbers on where the revenues raised under a cap-and-trade climate bill would be directed. The Senate nearly triples the funding for clean, sustainable transportation over the House climate bill, which only set aside an optional one percent of funding. Take a minute and thank your Senator today.

The new 775-page draft of the House Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 opens up with lofty language describing some goals and principles to guide the $450 billion transportation bill. But does reality match the rhetoric in the 774 pages that follow? We look at the nuts and bolts of the bill to see where it stacks up, breaking down an evaluation into positive areas, areas needing improvement, and notable omissions.

President Obama gave an interview to five columnists aboard Air Force One last week, talking at length about infrastructure, transportation, and the need to make serious reforms in transportation spending — hinting at how proper investments in transportation can help boost the economy while making the downpayment on a 21st Century transportation system we’re all hoping for.

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)