BAF IN THE NEWS
Newsweek: THE MANY PROBLEMS WITH DONALD TRUMP’S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN (Both Gov. Rendell and Sec. Lahood are quoted)
http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-infrastructure-plan-problems-590486
It was an early March morning on Washington, D.C.’s K Street—the boulevard synonymous with political influence the way New York’s Fifth Avenue is with high-end shopping or the Champs-Élysées with love. Lobbyists and lawyers, bureaucrats and bankers gathered for a conference on America’s infrastructure nightmare.
NATIONAL NEWS
The Hill: Trump cuts would threaten $38B in transportation projects: report
Transit advocates are sounding the alarm over the impact of President Trump’s proposed budget cuts, saying they would jeopardize $38 billion worth of planned public transportation projects.
Reuters: Automakers to meet with U.S. transportation, EPA chiefs
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-emissions-usa-idUSKBN17S2Y9
Major automakers are set to meet Thursday with the head of the U.S. Transportation Department and Environmental Protection Agency as the agencies begin a review of federal fuel efficiency rules that are a major piece of the climate change policy enacted by the Obama administration.
Vox: 9 radical changes that are coming to transportation
http://www.vox.com/new-money/2017/4/26/15363592/tesla-uber-google-waymo-spacex-innovation
We’ve gotten used to transportation technology improving at a glacial pace. Today’s cars and airplanes look and work about the same as they did 25 and even 50 years ago. But two announcements this week made it clear that the pace of innovation in transportation is about to accelerate dramatically.
Houston Chronicle: United revamps policies after dragging incident
http://www.chron.com/business/article/United-revamps-policies-after-dragging-incident-11102288.php
United Airlines will boost the amount of money it offers customers to voluntarily give up their seats, reduce overbooking on certain flights and create an automated system to solicit passengers willing to change their travel plans, the company announced Thursday after 2½ weeks of withering criticism.
NBC News: This City Is Counting on Trump to Spend Big on Infrastructure
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/city-counting-trump-spend-big-infrastructure-n751326
President Donald Trump promised a $1 trillion infrastructure investment over ten years that he said would rebuild American cities and create millions of new jobs. Here in Arkansas' second-largest city, where Trump won overwhelmingly in 2016, residents eagerly await details of a bill and see it as key to turning their fortunes around.
The Bond Buyer: Trump tax proposal won't include federal infrastructure funding
https://www.bondbuyer.com/news/trump-tax-proposal-wont-include-federal-infrastructure-funding
The administration’s tax reform package will not include any federal funding for President Trump’s $1 trillion, 10-year infrastructure proposal, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday ahead of the formal unveiling of the plan.
The Hill: Want a tremendous deal on infrastructure spending? Suspend Davis-Bacon
As the Trump administration and Congress prepares for what could be a trillion dollar infrastructure program, President Trump has within his powers a way to ensure American taxpayers can get the best bang for their buck with a stroke of his pen.
The Hill: Rebuild infrastructure, but keep longer and heavier trucks off highways
I recently read a piece in The Hill in support of infrastructure improvement and productive freight transportation.
STATE NEWS
Washington Post: How best to pay for Metro’s needs? A regionwide sales tax, say local officials in major report.
A new regionwide sales tax is the best way to raise the billions of dollars that Metro needs in coming years — and that area governments can’t afford — according to a report released Wednesday by top local administrative and budget officials.
New York Times: 3 New Bridges Rise in New York, With Looks That Could Stop Traffic
New York, the city of perpetual arrival, is getting three new gateways: diaphanous cable-stayed bridges that look almost too ethereal to bear the load of thousands of vehicles and people each day. They are already transforming the skyline. With luck, they may even improve the drive.
Associated Press: Amtrak to release details on Penn Station repairs, delays
Commuters who already have endured recent slowdowns at New York’s Penn Station are about to hear about more potential delays.
WTOP: Regional Metro sales tax needed very soon, report finds
http://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2017/04/regional-metro-sales-tax-needed-soon-report-finds/
A new 1 percent regionwide sales tax should be implemented in two years to cover Metro’s urgent capital funding needs, a panel of local leaders said Wednesday afternoon.
Aspen Public Radio: Transportation Bill, Top Priority In Colorado Statehouse, Fails
http://aspenpublicradio.org/post/transportation-bill-top-priority-colorado-statehouse-fails#stream/0
The highest legislative priority for the governor and leaders in both parties -- transportation funding -- failed in the Republican- controlled Senate Finance Committee on April 25.
Hawaii News Now: State transportation director: 'I've failed' to properly maintain airports
The state's transportation department director is taking the blame for decades of deterioration at Hawaii's airports.
Missoulian: Infrastructure showdown set Thursday after vote comes up 4 votes short
Though an $80.3 million bonding bill fell four votes shy in an initial test Wednesday, some supporters think they can get enough lawmakers to change their minds overnight to pass one of the key pieces of legislation this session.