You can also read about the BTA’s legislative efforts on their website.
Senator Jeff Merkley (L).(Photo © J. Maus) Oregon’s rookie Senator Jeff Merkley continues to live up to his potential as active transportation’s greatest hope in the U.S. Senate. The Livable Communities Act (S.1619), which he introduced in the Senate back in March, passed out of a key committee yesterday and will now head to a … Read more
More money for more of this.(Photo © J. Maus) Congressman Earl Blumenauer has introduced new legislation that will create a $2 billion competitive grant program for communities to promote eco-friendly transportation options. The bill, which we first reported on back in December, is now known officially as the Active Community Transportation Act of 2010. In … Read more
Bringing control of speed limits to the local level is one law the BTA is considering.(Photo © J. Maus) At their Member Forum last week, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance shared a list of nine proposals they’re evaluating for the 2011 legislative session. Here’s their draft list of topics currently under consideration: Vehicular Homicide Local control … Read more
Awareness of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions is on the rise.(Photos © J. Maus) A new study by NASA and a bill passed by the Oregon Senate yesterday have at least one thing in common. They both sound the alarm that transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions (a.k.a. too many cars and trucks on the road) are harmful … Read more
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