You can also read about the BTA’s legislative efforts on their website.
Bike parking at Franklin High School in Southeast Portland.(Photos © J. Maus) U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer announced a new bill yesterday that would expand the existing Safe Routes to Schools program to high schools. The Safe Routes to High Schools Act would enable high schools to vie for federal grants that would help them build … Read more
Well, it looks like Travel Oregon does have money after all to maintain their recently launched Ride Oregon Ride! website. This just in from PSU’s Institute for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation: Paid internship at Travel Oregon Travel Oregon is seeking an intern to enter route information for roads and trails into a WordPress-based cycling website. … Read more
Earl Blumenauer(Photo © J. Maus) With bipartisan support, U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) has introduced a new bill — the Orphan Highway Restoration Act — aimed at improving state highways that run through America’s main streets. According to Blumenauer, “orphan highways” are former U.S. numbered highways that over the years have lost traffic volume to … Read more
Blumenauer demonstrating one of several green ways to getto work.(Photo © J. Maus) U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the Green Routes to Work Act of 2009 into Congress yesterday. The bill looks to promote “low-carbon” transportation options by providing tax credits for both employers and individuals. In a press release about the bill, Blumenauer … Read more
Sen. Floyd Prozanski.(Photos © J. Maus) Recently passed House Bill 3271 — a bill that addresses a number of types of harassment — includes language that establishes the new crime of “Aggravated Driving While Suspended or Revoked”. The bill passed through the Oregon Legislature late Thursday and the language to address aggravated driving was added … Read more
Oberstar this morning. U.S. Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) has thrown down quite a gauntlet in his public standoff with the Obama administration about the prospects of a new transportation bill. Oberstar released his bill earlier this week (he’s Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee) and he (and other House members) has rebuffed Department … Read more
The House Climate Bill that is set for a vote this Friday could help fill a transportation investment pot that states could put toward bike projects. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) would raise money from polluters that go over their allowed emissions levels, an amount estimated to be $70 billion by … Read more
“The use of cell phones is increasing so much that we have to get a handle on it now.”— Ginny Burdick (D-Portland) After several years of trying, the Oregon Legislature has passed a law that will make the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle illegal. House bill 2377, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn … Read more
“Over reliance on automobiles can have adverse impacts on public health, both through lessened physical activity and from increased pollutants.”— from the bill’s description of the Office of Livability U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has released the full text of the federal transportation bill. Calling it the “Surface … Read more
HB 2377, a bill sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Tomei that looks to strengthen laws against people who use mobile devices (texting or talking) while driving, has made it out of the Senate Rules Committee (where it was stuck last time we checked in) and is headed for a vote on the Senate floor.
Rep. Carolyn Tomei Last time we checked in on HB 2377, it was on its way to easy passage on the House floor. It got through the House at the end of April by a vote of 38-22. Since then, it has had one reading in the Senate, bounced around to committees and work sessions … Read more
An exercise equipment store.(Photo © J. Maus) A bill introduced by the United States House of Representatives in April would allow Americans to spend up to $1,000 in pre-tax dollars in a “flex-spend” account for the purchase of “qualified sports and fitness expenses.” The Public Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2009 (H.R. 2105, cleverly … Read more