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USA INFRASTRUCTURE – TRANSPORTATION
Investing in America’s Infrastructure: From Bridges to Broadband
Infrastructure, Competitiveness, Telecommunications, Transportation, Traffic
The Brookings Institution – Hamilton Project - Event Summary – July 25, 2008
http://www.brookings.edu/events/2008/0725_infrastructure.aspx?emc=lm&m=217339&l=26&v=252049
“On Friday, July 25, The Hamilton Project released six new policy papers and hosted a public forum on the need for a national strategy that promotes infrastructure as a central component of long-term, broadly shared growth. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine joined former U.S. Treasury secretaries Robert E. Rubin and Lawrence H. Summers in the opening session of the forum. Summers gave remarks on the role of infrastructure investments in stimulating economic growth, particularly in the current difficult economic context. Kaine addressed the infrastructure challenges facing the states with a focus on his experiences in the Commonwealth.”
Future Federal Role for Surface Transportation
Senate Committee on Environment and Pubic Works – Hearing - June 25, 2008
http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=9d758a65-802a-23ad-49f2-5a3a5ec4aaa1
“The current highway, transit and highway safety authorization legislation, SAFETEA-LU, will expire on September 30, 2009. As we prepare for the next authorization, it is important for us to examine the role the Federal government has played in the development of our current transportation system, and to look forward to the role the Federal government should play in the future… We need to make significant investments in the short term just to maintain our infrastructure at safe functioning levels, followed by even larger investments over the next 20 to 30 years to completely replace aging infrastructure.”
Transportation Infrastructure: Issues and Options
Senate Committee on Finance, Hearing – July 10, 2008
http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing071008.htm
“CBO and GAO’s work suggests that we should take a longer view. It suggests that in enacting the next surface transportation bill, we should consider a wider range of transportation modes and financing mechanisms. We must recognize that these modes and mechanisms may not apply equally in all areas of this country. But we must also recognize that in the long term, we cannot sustain the status quo.
Witnesses: CBO and GAO directors
Tax and Financing Aspects of Highway Public-Private Partnerships
Senate Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure - Hearing – July 24, 2008
http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing072408A.htm
“Heeding GAO’s advice, I have called today’s hearing to consider more closely one financing option that has received considerable attention: the sale of concession rights to existing tolled highways. Indeed, these so-called “Public-Private Partnerships” have been billed by advocates as a silver bullet to our surface transportation problems.”
Climate Change Impacts on the Transportation Sector
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation - June 24, 2008
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=ac900802-7bc1-45b8-b100-6e7f4935ab00
The hearing will examine climate change research, mitigation, and adaptation efforts in the transportation sector, including both surface transportation and aviation. Witnesses will focus on the projected increases in freight and passenger traffic in each mode of transportation, the contributions of the transportation sector to address climate change, and the potential impacts of climate change on the nation's transportation infrastructure. In addition, the witnesses are expected to address the status of ongoing research initiatives, challenges to further development of public and private climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, and the role of technology in such research initiatives and mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Keeping America Moving: Hearing to Review National Strategies for Efficient Freight Movement
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, June 10, 2008
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=77486eb1-8f44-4d14-92d1-65bb807d297e
“The hearing will focus on current and future challenges facing the efficient movement of freight throughout our nation’s transportation system, including in ports, on railroads, and by commercial motor vehicles. Witnesses will testify about the changing nature of freight transportation, the anticipated increase in freight volumes, and the infrastructure needs to support both. They will also testify about new technological developments that could help improve the efficiency of freight transportation. Additionally, witnesses will focus on the specific issues affecting different regions, modes of transportation, and industries throughout the United States.”
Airline Industry: Potential Mergers and Acquisitions Driven by Financial and Competitive Pressures
GAO-08-845 - July 31, 2008 – 57 pages
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-845
“The airline industry is vital to the U.S. economy, generating operating revenues of nearly $172 billion in 2007, amounting to over 1 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product… Some airlines have proposed or are considering merging with or acquiring another airline. GAO was asked to help prepare Congress for possible airline mergers or acquisitions. This report describes (1) the financial condition of the U.S. passenger airline industry, (2) whether the industry is becoming more or less competitive, (3) why airlines seek to merge with or acquire other airlines, and (4) the role of federal authorities in reviewing proposed airline mergers and acquisitions.”
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