Transportation Policy
Streetsblog Basics
GM’s Ransom Note to America
With the president-elect, Congress and the current White House divided on how or if American taxpayers should save the domestic auto industry, General Motors is taking its case directly to the public with this video and accompanying web site. More threat than appeal, the message, in a nutshell, is "Do it, or else."
November 17, 2008
Obama Names Transpo Transition Team
The Obama-Biden transition team today unveiled its "Agency Review Teams" -- the people charged with "a thorough review of key departments, agencies and commissions of the
United States government, as well as the White House, to provide the
President-elect, Vice President-elect, and key advisors with
information needed to make strategic policy, budgetary, and personnel
decisions prior to the inauguration."
November 14, 2008
John Liu Wants Federal Bailout for MTA, Calls Bridge Tolls a “Distraction”
While Washington is bailing out banks and carmakers (maybe), City Council Member John Liu thinks an allocation to the MTA is in order.
November 14, 2008
Urbama Admin? Prez-Elect ‘The Real Deal’ Says Metro Policy Guru
If Barack Obama's soft spot for Detroit has you doubting his urban policy bona fides, Bruce Katz offers a few words of reassurance. The Stamford Advocate reports from Katz's recent appearance before a Connecticut smart-growth group:
November 13, 2008
Obama Wants Car Czar to Accompany Big Three Aid
More details of a possible Obama administration-led auto industry bailout emerged yesterday when Politico reported that the president-elect wants a "high-profile point person to oversee reforms" attached to any financial aid.
November 12, 2008
Pelosi, Reid and Emanuel Push for Carmaker Bailout
Over the weekend, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate urged the Bush administration to extend financial aid intended for Wall Street to struggling domestic carmakers, a move that could have the support of President-elect Obama.
November 10, 2008
Share Your National Vision With the President-Elect
With the Obama administration indicating that it may counter the current economic slowdown with much-needed infrastructure investment, Transportation for America has issued a letter calling for the president-elect to "lay the groundwork for a clean-energy future that is less dependent on oil."
November 7, 2008
Reason to Like Rahm Emanuel as White House Chief of Staff
Spotted in today's Times story on Barack Obama's emergency economic agenda:
November 7, 2008
Sadik-Khan Said to Be Obama Cabinet Contender
Her post-Bloomberg career has been the province of wishful speculation. But a report published today indicates that DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan may be considered for a position in Barack Obama's Department of Transportation -- possibly its top spot.
November 5, 2008
The McCain-Palin Ticket: America’s Last Anti-Urban Campaign?
Writing for Citiwire, Brookings fellow Robert Lang asks whether the 2008 presidential contest might be the last one to openly pit rural and exurban voters against cities, which are increasingly aligned politically with inner suburbs. Lang says it depends on whether Republicans will again feel confident running the type of campaign that mocks community organizers and sanctifies "small town values," a strategy he views as a dead-end:
November 4, 2008