What’s the Vision?

21st CENTURY INFRASTRUCTURE, 21st CENTURY JOBS.

Create green jobs through greater investment in modernized infrastructure and healthy communities — from highway maintenance and repair to public transit upgrades to green housing and neighborhood construction.

A WORLD-CLASS RAIL SYSTEM

Build a world-class rail network — both between cities and within them — that links our communities, transports people and goods more smoothly and makes our economy more competitive.

FIXING IT FIRST

Protect the integrity of our existing highway and public transportation systems with an aggressive program of rehabilitation and upkeep, and financial support for superior service.

HELPING PEOPLE DRIVE LESS

Help people drive less, avoid unpredictable gas prices, get healthy and stay active in their own neighborhoods through expanded construction of public transit, bicycle routes, and safe sidewalks to walk on.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Set and enforce national transportation standards, but empower local communities to decide what is necessary to meet those goals as well as the needs of its neighborhoods and residents.

    Commentary of note

    • Americans Demand More and Better Options - Gov. Parris Glendening

      As we look for ways to reduce our gas bills, though, we are discovering disconcerting truths about our landscape and transportation network. Many of our transit systems, short-changed over the years and facing their own high fuel bills, are having a hard time keeping up with the rising demand. The supply of homes in convenient locations near jobs – whether stand-alone houses, townhouses or condos – is far below the demand. And many of us – the majority, in fact – find ourselves living in a drive-only landscape, where we must burn gas even to reach a transit stop, if one exists.

      Taking Action for ‘More and Better Options’ - Rep. Earl Blumenauer

      Governor Glendening’s recent essay on Americans’ need for better transportation options was right on the mark: American families need help coping with increasing transportation costs. Long the 2nd biggest expense – after housing – in a family’s budget, transportation costs are now eating into funds needed for other critical items, such as food, education, health care, retirement savings - and even vacation plans. Sadly, we know that higher gas prices are more than a speculative bubble; most economists see them as a long term trend, not a temporary situation.

    Other recent commentary Facts

THE 2009 FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION BILL: WHAT WE BELIEVE

Transportation For America

Energy security

Our future security, economic success, personal and planetary health require us to reduce our dependence on oil.
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Transportation For America

Opportunity for All

Everyone living in America — whether in our urban centers or rural heartland — deserves to have ample and affordable options for living and commuting.
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Transportation For America

Community

Families and individuals want to live in accessible, fair, and environmentally sustainable communities.
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Transportation For America

Responsible Investment

Our government — federal, state and local — should spend our money in a way that addresses the needs of all citizens.
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