The Morning Dig: ‘Reforest and Unpave’ Edition

• A UMass report says that reforestation is a better job generator than road and bridge repair by a factor of almost two to one–and better than nuclear power by a factor of almost ten. (Grist)

• “Unpaving” — recycling asphalt into gravel roads — is how some states are cutting maintenance costs. (USA Today)

• NY’s MTA estimates that it will receive $350 million less than expected from the state this year because of that payroll tax debacle, so they’re going ahead with a $650 million bond sale. (Bloomberg via Business Week)

• 681 miles of bike infrastructure in Portland will cost $613 million over the next twenty years, but the mayor insists it would be “very difficult” to pursue livability, affordable transportation, and the reduction of greenhouse gases without it. (CSMonitor)

• The TSA scrapped its plans to impose strict security regulations on the private air travel industry. (NPR)

• A confidential report from a commission on Radiation Safety says women and children should not be put through body scanners at airports because of “extremely small” doses of radiation–less than the cosmic rays absorbed while airborne. (Business Week)

• And a blogger suggests that for Milwaukee to be successful in the 21st century, it must look to its past for inspiration and take advantage of the incredible vistas that distinguish it from so many midwestern cities. (Urban Milwaukee)