Transportation funding talks remain stagnant

Amanda Bayhi - Mar 25, 2013

The debate over transportation funding continues as MAP-21’s expiration date—September 2014—inches closer and closer. Congressional discussions about how to increase funding are seemingly going nowhere, Politico reported. While transportation funding, particularly the Highway Trust Fund, continues to decrease, ideas about an increase ...

Depends what you mean by “relevant” or “earmark.”

John Latta - Mar 22, 2013

When it comes to transportation infrastructure, what is "relevant" and what is an "earmark?" The debate arises courtesy of Minnesota Republican Representative and former Presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann. And while the debate comes from a meeting where she spoke, it is ...

America’s roads and bridges ‘not crumbling’ – report

John Latta - Feb 21, 2013

A new report from the Reason Foundation concludes, after examining 20 years of state highway data, that the condition of America’s state-controlled roads has improved in seven key areas including deficient bridges and pavement condition. “There are still plenty of problems ...

Uh oh, somebody’s out of touch on the gas tax

John Latta - Feb 14, 2013

If something is unpopular but beneficial to the American public, do you as a member of Congress (a) support it, or (b) check the polls because sometimes what's good for the country could get a person unelected. The U.S. Chamber of ...

Reauthorization, deficit spending and flying pigs

John Latta - Feb 13, 2013

One less funding option for reauthorization. "Deficit spending is not the answer," Bill Shuster, a Pennsylvania Republican and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said this week in Harrisburg, PA. It probably never was, but it has been used ...

About the small print Congressman

John Latta - Apr 11, 2012

Next Monday, April 16, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is back in D.C. after a well-deserved (sic) break to consider finalizing a reauthorization bill. There's not a whole lot of optimism here. The Senate's two-year bill is waiting in the ...

Shame

John Latta - Apr 04, 2012

Last Friday reauthorization was extended for the ninth time, this time for 90 days. You know what I feel about it. So does Ezra Klein apparently. "On Friday, President Obama signed the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012. Odds are ...

Financial District

Better Roads Staff - Mar 20, 2012

HOT Time in the Old Town Tonight ( … and early morning and late afternoon) Varying tolls to control congestion works. Sort of. Sometimes. Congestion pricing cuts congestion. It’s true. But it’s not an entirely complete statement, because there are factors that ...

Let ‘em have it this week!

John Latta - Feb 20, 2012

I'm repeating myself, I know, but I want to urge as many of you as possible to take advantage of this week's Congressional recess. Members are back in their districts and this is an election year. Put a little heat ...

Seat backs and tray tables upright

John Latta - Feb 13, 2012

After a really bad flight we are ready for a really bad landing. Both the House and Senate are closing in this week on final votes on their versions of a replacement for SAFETEA-LU, the too-tough-to-die surface transportation bill. We need ...

Come Together, Right Now, Over Bill

John Latta - Feb 03, 2012

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers is taking what I think will become a pretty popular position on the House’s HR7 reauthorization bill, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act (AEIJA), just passed by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It's ...

Mica’s Move is Made: Now let’s keep moving

John Latta - Feb 01, 2012

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica and Members of the committee unveiled the American Energy an Infrastructure Jobs Act yesterday. I would like to think contractors, subs, agencies,equipment dealerships and OEMs are excited and getting ready to move quickly ...

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