Infrastructure in the News: September 19, 2011
BAF IN THE NEWS
National Journal: Norquist, Rendell Debate Spending, Tax Policy in National Journal Debate
Tax-reform activist Grover Norquist and former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell butted heads in a Friday-morning debate over the government's role in infrastructure spending, tax rates, and the need for fiscal restraint, echoing a fight on Capitol Hill over deficit reduction and President Obama’s jobs proposals.
News-Press: Editorial: Bad roads, rails, ports cost jobs
Creating an infrastructure bank is one of the many solid recommendations made by Building America's Future Educational Fund, a bipartisan group headed by former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Hattiesburg American: Transportation investment lacking
Creating an infrastructure bank is one of the many solid recommendations made by Building America's Future Educational Fund, a bipartisan group headed by former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Evansville Courier & Press: Crumbling infrastructure ranks U.S. behind Barbados
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/sep/17/30pt-hed1-10-inches-p-30pt-hed1-10-inches-p/
Building America's Future Educational Fund asserted that the U.S. has the world's worst air traffic congestion. A quarter of all flights in the U.S. arrives more than 15 minutes late. The national average for all delayed flights in the U.S. — about 56 minutes — is twice that of Europe's average.
NATIONAL NEWS
The Hill: Obama signs highway funding, FAA extension
After an unexpected second round of congressional squabbling over funding for the Federal Aviation Administration and highway programs, President Obama has signed the bill passed by lawmakers this week to extend both through next year.
The Hill: Advocates cheer extension of FAA, highway funding
On Thursday evening, the Senate approved a bill to extend the FAA's funding, which had been set to expire Friday, until January, and federal highway programs through the end of March. The vote came after Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) dropped his objections to the measure after getting a vote on amendments to remove road beautification provisions in the highway portion of the measure.
STATE NEWS
San Francisco Chronicle: L.A. mayor urges Congress to grow jobs in cities
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/19/EDEL1L5NSA.DTL
To get our cities thriving again, Congress can do two simple things right now: They can maintain smart investments in key domestic priorities, and they can invest in infrastructure jobs. Congress and the administration should fully fund key domestic discretionary programs that build infrastructure, provide vital services and help generate jobs.
Indy Star: Erika D. Smith: It's time for the rubber to meet the road on public transit
But when it's time for the rubber of those big bus tires to actually meet the road, finding the money to pay for transit is always a problem. It's not just here; it's also the case in almost every other city that has tried to confront the issue in recent years. Many residents, squeezed by the Great Recession, say they don't want to pay for more transit. Therefore, many politicians, especially if they're up for re-election, are wary of publicly supporting a tax to build rail lines and add bus routes.
Star Tribune: Editorial: Progress, hurdles for transit projects
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/129996018.html
Two major transit projects recently in the news -- the Southwest Corridor light-rail line and the Cedar Avenue bus rapid-transit line -- represent the kind of transit advances that can help unclog roads and keep the Twin Cities competitive with other metro areas. Both projects are progressing, but both still face funding and approval hurdles that must be addressed by key leaders in government and business.
Jersey Evening Post: ‘Public private partnerships are the future’
http://www.thisisjersey.com/2011/09/16/public-private-partnerships-are-the-future/
Senator Cohen floated the idea of a ‘Jersey Infrastructure Investment Fund’ as a means of speeding the delivery of new projects and ensuring that the States act as a catalyst to develop effective joint initiatives with the private sector.
Herald Net: An investment in transportation is an investment in jobs and growth
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110917/OPINION03/709189968
Transportation is the lifeblood of Washington state's economy. Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the nation. Almost everything we make or do, from airplanes to agriculture to Pacific Rim trade, depends on transportation infrastructure to move people and goods. Likewise, our lives are tethered to our transportation system for all manner of personal, recreation and business activities.
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APTA: Changing the Way America Moves, Spring 2009 Get The Facts
America's poorest households spend more than 40% of take-home pay on transportation.
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Kentucky
Steven Beshear
Governor
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