A Small Idea, But a Good One
The Obama administration decided a little while back to ask congress to simply extend our existing federal transportation law for 18 months rather than attempt to further crowd the agenda with a major push for reform. But Elana Schor reports that they do have some relatively minor changes they’d like to see congress make:
Streetsblog Capitol Hill has obtained a copy of the item the administration wants to see added to any 18-month extension. The proposals are narrowly tailored and relatively inexpensive. Still, securing their passage could prove difficult given the House’s preference for passing its new federal bill and the Senate’s affinity for a “clean as a whistle” extension.
The biggest item on the administration’s agenda is $310 million to help state DOTs and local Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) begin collecting data on the usage and ridership of transportation projects.
“This voluntary program would provide participating entities the opportunity to integrate analysis into investment decisions and prepare for improved accountability standards and merit criteria in the long-term reauthorization,” the administration document states.
As far as small-bore ideas go, this seems like a pretty good one. Still it is mighty small bore. It’s frustrating—Ray LaHood has been talking a very good game and generating a lot of coverage about a transformational vision for transportation policy, but it’s not at all clear that much of anything will actually happen.
5 Responses to “A Small Idea, But a Good One”
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July 2nd, 2009 at 8:42 am
I know that locally, they are struggling to pull together the documentation they need to apply for transportation-related stimulus funds. Generally, they are obviously going to need some time and money for planning before they can realistically handle a lot more funds.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:08 am
Well, of course not. If the administation blocks a Oberstar’s reauthorization, nothing transformative will happen. By merely extending the existing Safetea-lu, small bore solutions are exactly what the administration has condemned itself to. The House reathorization is essentially the transformative plan the administration touted in the past. In fact, it is more transfformative since it addresses financing and includes a gas tax increase. But the White House is adamantly opposed and has found allies in the Senate, where a measley extension is all that will be mustered.
Im not sure Matt gets that no transformation can happen without a fresh reauthorization. And you cant point squarely at the White House for blame, if you are looking.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:31 am
At no point in video report did LaHood not have a scowl on his face. Apparently he was not happy with what he was seeing. Or hearing.
It is sorta like when you are down and out and drinking your troubles away in the local tavern and you are forced to listen to some joker telling you how great his life his. You don’t want to begrudge him his happiness but his self-satisfied ebullience sure can rankle you to the core.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 am
Given that there is a renewed interest in transportation issues, especially modal issues, it might be a good time to update or completely refresh and redo the National Household Travel Survey. The most recent update was 6 or 7 years ago, the American Household Travel Survey. These are major efforts looking at behavior across modes. Many of their reports and results have been cited in discussions here and elsewhere in the blogosphere.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
The states are already mishandling the stimulus money. Secretary Duncan has had to threaten states so that they don’t use stimulus money simply to plug budget holes in education. This step basically asks the states to gather the data necessary to effectively crafting the type of transportation system favored by progressives, much as the cost effectiveness studies are the key to cost containment in health care reform.
And by the time 18 months is up, Imshallah, we are likely to have a few more D votes in the Senate – not to mention a better economic position – and commensurately better odds of getting sweeping reform passed through both chambers.