December 2008 Archives

In addition to the mammoth task of reauthorizing the surface transportation law, the next Transportation secretary faces regulatory and administrative responsibilities that run the gamut from implementing the pending stimulus package and resolving outstanding labor disputes to deciding the fate of regulations. What are the top administrative and regulatory challenges facing the incoming secretary, and is Rep. LaHood up to the task?

-- Lisa Caruso, NationalJournal.com

19 responses: Eric Britton, Jon Martz, Michael P. Jackson, Randy Neufeld, Rich Sarles, Patrick D. Jones, Rep. Tom Petri, R-Wisc., Craig L. Fuller, Greg Principato, James C. May, Frank Busalacchi, Bob Poole, Geoff Anderson, Steve Van Beek, Deron Lovaas, Bill Graves, Steve Sandherr, Patrick Forrey, Ken Mead

With mass transportation ridership at record highs (even as gas prices plummet) and public concern growing over greenhouse gas emissions and energy security, has the time come to devote significantly more federal funding to mass transit relative to highways? And do public transit supporters have the political clout needed to make that happen in the next surface transportation bill?

-- Lisa Caruso, NationalJournal.com

26 responses: Eric Britton, Lisa Caruso, Lisa Caruso, Eric Britton, Lisa Caruso, Robin Chase, Michael A. Replogle, Bill Graves, Lisa Caruso, Paul Yarossi, Lisa Caruso, Emil H. Frankel, Frank Busalacchi, Gov. Tim Kaine, Ed Wytkind, Steve Van Beek, John D. Porcari, Greg Cohen, Robert L. Crandall, Bob Poole, Geoff Anderson, Deron Lovaas, Paul M. Weyrich, Robert Puentes, Rich Sarles, Pete Ruane

President-elect Obama has made a hefty economic stimulus the first item on his legislative agenda and signaled that he wants a significant infrastructure component. How should the money for transportation infrastructure be distributed to maximize job creation in the short run while ensuring that the projects deliver the greatest benefit for the public? And who gets to decide which projects move first?

-- Lisa Caruso, NationalJournal.com

30 responses: James P. Hoffa, Eric Britton, Bill Graves, Steve Van Beek, Greg Principato, Deron Lovaas, Ken Orski, Janet F. Kavinoky, Steve Sandherr, Colin F. Peppard, Frank Busalacchi, Pete Ruane, Michael A. Replogle, Craig L. Fuller, Jacqueline Gillan, Pete K. Rahn, James C. May, Rich Sarles, Robert Puentes, Ken Orski, Lisa Caruso, Ed Hamberger, Paul Yarossi, Steve Van Beek, Phineas Baxandall, Craig L. Fuller, Deron Lovaas, John D. Porcari, Betty Knight, Geoff Anderson

Although we don't have a new Transportation secretary yet, we do know that the most important task that person will face will be guiding the reauthorization of the surface transportation law (SAFETEA-LU), which expires Sept. 30, 2009. The nation's transportation needs have changed and expanded dramatically since the Eisenhower administration launched the Interstate System in 1956. At the same time, the fuels tax that has funded the program since its inception can no longer serve as the sole source of revenue as people drive more fuel-efficient vehicles. What do you think the new secretary's top five priorities should be for updating the law to meet the nation's 21st-century transportation needs?

-- Lisa Caruso, NationalJournal.com

24 responses: Ned S. Holmes, Eric Britton, Emil H. Frankel, Lisa Caruso, Robert Puentes, Frank Busalacchi, Patrick Forrey, Deron Lovaas, Christopher O. Ward, Gov. Tim Kaine, Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.), Terry O’Sullivan, Pete Ruane, Ken Mead, Bob Poole, Paul Yarossi, Michael A. Replogle, Rich Sarles, John D. Porcari, Steve Van Beek, Ken Orski, Norman Mineta, Mary Peters