Comments on: Oberstar Has Plan to Revolutionize Highway Funding

By: Oberstar’s Handwritten Outline Of New Transportation Bill Leaks » INFRASTRUCTURIST

Fri, 08 May 2009 19:02:43 +0000

[...] few days ago, Jim Oberstar, head of the House transportation committee, tipped his hand that he has big changes in mind for transportation policy in this country. Now his outline for the new transportation bill [...]

By: Matt O'Toole

Matt O'Toole — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:24:18 +0000

It might be great for a state like Oberstar’s, or even mine (Virginia). Otherwise, the states that need the most help are run by local yokels who will do exactly the wrong thing. MPOs and politicians in these states are too easily controlled by singular interests like big box stores and developers. Sometimes the federal government really does know best. I’m with Kentuckian on this one.

By: Boris

Boris — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:22:03 +0000

This is a bad, bad idea. Like the other commenters mentioned, giving more power to states over transportation funding means the sure death of any inkling of fairness when it comes to transit programs.

State power centers have been historically anti-city. The tiny federal programs for rail and urban projects are what have been keeping cities afloat. The federal government is big enough and removed far enough to potentially be able to compare projects objectively and award funding based on merit, not pork or special interests. It’s true that highway funding should be reformed to remove pork from the federal system, but giving states more power is absolutely not the answer.

By: Angeleno

Angeleno — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:37:59 +0000

I think that the Federal Government needs to actually draft a National Urban Transportation Policy that provides guidelines for States and Cities to follow, and tie this to the money they receive. I say urban policy, because it is clear that metropolitan regions are the most vital to our nation’s economy, and where the majority of the people live. I would take a look at emerging countries, such as Colombia, Brazil, and India to get an idea of policies, and funding commitments to building infrastructure that moves people not cars.

By: Streetsblog » Today’s Headlines

Streetsblog » Today’s Headlines — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:40:43 +0000

[...] James Oberstar Gives Preview of House Transpo Bill (Reuters via Infrastructurist) [...]

By: Kevin Buchanan

Kevin Buchanan — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:54:38 +0000

I wouldn’t trust Texas DOT with any more power. Already we’re hearing talk of certain elements wanting to take some of the funding package we’ve been putting together in Fort Worth/Dallas for rail transit projects away from those projects and put to highway expansion.

By: From Missourah

From Missourah — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:53:54 +0000

Same here - the Missourah state legislature will pave 20 lanes from StL to KC is they’re allowed to. I believe that our state’s only chance to build more mass transit and commonsense roads is an enlightened Federal Government.

By: Streetsblog » Why Won’t the Feds Encourage People to Go Car-Free?

Streetsblog » Why Won’t the Feds Encourage People to Go Car-Free? — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:33:16 +0000

[...] including thoughts from Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic on the subject! — at Seattle Transit Blog. Plus, The Infrastructurist takes an early look at Rep. Jim Oberstar’s plans to change the way American transportation is [...]

By: admin

admin — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:26:50 +0000

Kentuckian -
Yeah, I was highlighting the positive, but that’s obviously the other side of this.

By: Kentuckian

Kentuckian — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:06:35 +0000

The last thing I want are the Yahoos in the Kentucky state legislature or the Kentucky transportation cabinet to have more power in making decisions. They’re notoriously corrupt. Only the hoops that the feds force them to jump through keep even the semblance of propriety or rationality intact.