Posts about Politics
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Be Smart. Don’t Start (Your Car)
Ezra Klein and Ryan Avent ponder the political realities of educating the public on the harmful effects of sprawl and driving, and analogies to the campaign against smoking. For urbanites, there’s a choice every day and it’s clear that a little more convenient transit would reduce driving demand, but there are a lot of people out in the suburbs who don’t have that… Keep reading…
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The Complete Streets Act
Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa introduced a Complete Streets Act to push cities and towns to design their streets for people, bicyclists, and traffic all together. Streetsblog is cautiously pleased but sees “Hummer-sized loopholes”. Here’s Smart Growth America’s analysis (they’re strongly for it.)… Keep reading…
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Bush budget terrible for cities
Not only is President Bush seeking to raid the transit trust fund to pay for more highways, it cuts funding for Amtrak and eliminates the HOPE VI program that is helping cities like DC turn failed urban renewal projects into desirable mixed-income housing. Smart Growth America has a detailed analysis and is asking citizens to urge their Congresspeople to reject these terrible priorities. Keep reading…
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Fire Mary Peters
The Teamsters have a campaign going to fire US DOT Secretary Mary Peters for continuing a program that lets Mexican trucks haul freight in the US with lower safety standards. It’s a good cause, but it’s not the only reason Mary Peters ought to be fired—there’s her dislike for bike paths, unenthusiasm for transit, and opposition to gas tax increases are all… Keep reading…
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Maryland worried about new transit-hostile FTA
According to the Post, Maryland officials are nervous that the Federal (not-so-excited-about-)Transit Administration will reject the Purple Line or the Corridor Cities Transitway (along I-270) as it did (or at least delayed) the Silver Line to Dulles, even though the Purple Line will cost significantly less. Maryland already delayed the Purple Line application process one… Keep reading…
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New Partners: Earl Blumenauer and Mary Landrieu
Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, whose district includes Portland, joined in a roundtable discussion. Blumenauer had strong words for the Bush Administration on its transportation policy, especially the recent commission report, where language in favor of increasing the gas tax was cut out. Blumenauer: the commission was set… Keep reading…
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Conservative won’t vote for McCain partly because of rail
Paul Weyrich, the leading conservative proponent of rail transportation, wouldn’t vote for John McCain in the general election in part because of McCain’s opposition to rail investment. McCain “would fight us on everything,” Weyrich said, including shutting down Amtrak and opposing projects like the Dulles extension, where he vehemently disagrees… Keep reading…
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Presidential candidates on transit, cycling and walking
Streetsblog’s LA correspondent Damien Newton researched the Presidential candidates’ positions on transportation. For the Democrats, both Obama’s and Clinton’s platforms hold a great deal of promise. Obama is the most pro-cycling candidate, extols the virtues of walking, and supported Chicago’s transit system while in the Illinois legislature,… Keep reading…
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Sen. Wyden’s favored economic stimulus: road resurfacing
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), a progressive Senator from America’s most Smart Growth-oriented city of Portland, apparently feels that the best economic stimulus would be more money for road resurfacing. No wonder America has such a hard time weaning itself from road-building. According to Bloomberg, Oregon’s senior Senator thinks “infrastructure spending—specifically… Keep reading…
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Byron Brown on cities in politics
Echoing many of the same points I just made in my last post is this AlterNet interview with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, who argues that the early primaries in non-urban states diminishes the discussion of urban issues: Keep reading…