Experts Offer Advice on the Next Transportation Bill

8 December 2008 - 9:00am

National Journal Magazine has asked it's team of political insiders/bloggers to give their thoughts on how the next federal transportation bill should be written.

"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?"

Respondents include current Transportation Secretary Mary peters, former Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.), Bob Poole of the Reason Foundation, and Planetizen Interchange blogger Ken Orski.

Source: National Journal, December 2, 2008
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In the long term, removing major urban freeways should be part of a more comprehensive approach to reduce automobile dependency by promoting public transportation and transit-oriented development.