DeFazio: Members may get up to $20M each for earmarks

“Each member was told how much they would get [by leadership], and they were able to divide that up among their projects as they saw fit,” said Jeff Davis, who said that too often led to lawmakers spreading funding over multiple projects and leaving many short the dollars needed to be completed. Share

Biden wants to buy EVs. Are there enough cars?

“If the government invests in this, that shows this is a technology they have confidence in and is something that can work for the broader population,” said Eno’s Brianne Eby. Share

Say It Ain’t So, Amtrak Joe

Jeff Davis was surprised to see Amtrak’s 2035 Vision included a Minneapolis-Duluth line that former Minnesota congressman Jim Oberstar used to push when he chaired the House Transportation Committee. Share

Stakeholders Advocate Action on Biden’s Infrastructure Plan

“It’s got a chance but threading the needle in a six vote majority House and a 50-50 Senate is awfully difficult and, if they’re able to do it, you know, it’s going to be an epic achievement,” said Jeff Davis. Share

Charging Stations Could Drive Electric Vehicles Into a Wall

“I can’t see the federal government funding five different networks of different kinds of charging stations; it seems inefficient to me,” says Jeff Davis. Share

America Has Long Favored Cars Over Trains and Buses. Can Biden Change That?

“When a lot of money is raining down from the top, states and localities will do whatever they can to get that money,” said Paul Lewis.Share

White House plan calls for large expansion of federal government’s role in transportation

The Biden administration is calling for $365 billion in highway spending, $189 billion for transit and $94 billion for rail over five years, according to an analysis by Jeff Davis. Share

Can Congress fix I-80? How Biden’s expected infrastructure plan could impact Sacramento

Saying a bridge is deficient “doesn’t mean the bridge is about to fall down. That kind of thing is very rare. Things that engineers do make sure the bridges are safe,” said Paul Lewis. Share

A gas tax? A mileage tax? Biden wary of user fees to pay for roads, bridges and highways

Eno’s Jeff Davis suggests that if the government isn’t willing to increase taxes on highway users, it should reduce spending from the Highway Trust Fund.Share

What’s Doable If Democrats Go It Alone on Infrastructure

Congress could tweak the rate of the motor fuels tax — the main source of money for the Highway Trust Fund — under reconciliation since it would affect revenue, said Jeff Davis.Share