Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced his pending resignation today - he will leave when a replacement has been confirmed, thus reversing an earlier, informal announcement he had made during an inauguration party on Jan. 21.
Kathryn A. Wolfe writes that "(t)he White House declined to specify a timeline for selecting a successor, and names swirling include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who would bolster the administration’s Hispanic credentials, and NTSB Chairwoman Debbie Hersman, who would give him a female Cabinet pick."
She mentions less likely picks including former chair of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and former Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) who would continue the reign of former Republican congressmen holding this cabinet position.
In a telephone interview, LaHood said that Obama asked him to stay on, but the former Republican congressman said this is “probably the best time for me to leave.”
“He asked me to stay. I’ve given it a lot of thought. The bottom line is I’ve been in public service now for 35 years,” LaHood said. “I believe in going out while they’re applauding..."
Indeed, there are many who applaud his strong advocacy for high speed rail investment and his safety initiative against distracted driving.
His message to Dept. of Transportation workers can be found on his Fast Lane blog that includes a list of DOT Accomplishments [PDF].
FULL STORY: Ray LaHood to resign from Obama administration
Friday Funny: Infrastructure: 'If Anything Exciting Happens We've Done it Wrong'
The news satire show "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" gave comic treatment to the country's ever-present, much-neglected infrastructure crisis. It's hilarious and scary. At the same time!
Ray LaHood Joins the Board of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, one of the country's most recognizable voices of leadership for infrastructure investment, will join the Board of the Lincoln Institute of land Policy.
Report Aims to Reinvent the MTA; Critics Say it Misses the Mark
After Capital New York leaked an early draft of the report by a MTA Transportation Reinvention Commission, critics are wondering if the commission is living up to its titular promise.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie