Senate Rejects Earmark Ban. Infrastructure Wins!

The Senate rejected a two year ban on congressional earmarks and the Obama administration rolled out its initial investment to create a high-speed rail system across the U.S. Read more on this in Infrastructure in the News.

National News

AltTransport: Senate Rejects Earmark Ban. Infrastructure Wins!
The Senate rejected a two year ban on congressional earmarks this morning by 56-39. Eight Republicans voted to reject the ban, offered by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.

USA Today: High-speed rail projects land in tug of war between governors
When the Obama administration rolled out its initial investment to create a high-speed rail system across the U.S. in January, the program was hailed as a pivotal piece of the most significant upgrade of the nation's transportation system since the interstate highway network.

State News

WUWM: High Speed Rail Meetings Focus on Line to Minneapolis
Scott Walker has declared the high-speed rail line between Milwaukee and Madison dead, raising questions about the future of a separate project linking Wisconsin and Minnesota. Officials from both states are holding public meetings this week on possible routes for a new line between Madison and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Eau Claire could be a stop on the new line.

Politics on the Hudson: DiNapoli Highlights Infrastructure Concerns 
New York has spent billions on infrastructure, but its roads and bridges are crumbling, according to a new report issued today by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.