Matt Yglesias

Good for LaHood

Transportation reformers weren’t totally thrilled with the idea of Rep. Ray LaHood becoming Secretary of Transportation but LaHood’s remarks at his hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee were really pretty impressive. More here.

I’m hoping the stimulus bill can be re-written in a more transit-friendly manner but the real action will be in permanent legislative changes—the reauthorization of the overarching transportation bill and action on Obama’s proposal for a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank.

LaHood for Transportation?

The Hill is almost reporting that Barack Obama will appoint Representative Ray LaHood of Illinois as Transportation Secretary.

In principle, I think this is a great slot for a bipartisan pick. In practice, Democrats tend to be better on transportation issues than Republicans, but there isn’t actually a ton of ideological linkage between these issues and the broad disagreements between the parties. You could think abortion is murder, and also that investment in high-speed rail would be a good idea. Or you could favor tax cuts and congestion pricing on roads. And of course lots of Democrats have terrible views on transportation issues.

As for LaHood, he’s no Paul Weyrich, but he did break with the GOP to support the Passenger Rail Investment Act and the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act so that seems promising.