Governor Robert McDonnell's Transportation Funding Proposal

Feb. 14, 2013
George Mason University's School of Public Policy

The Eno Center for Transportation, the Bipartisan Policy Center and the George Mason University’s School of Public Policy held a forum on Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s Transportation Funding Proposal.

Where Do We Go From Here? A Post-Election Analysis of Federal Transportation Policy

Nov. 30, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

Although reauthorizations of both the surface transportation and aviation bills were enacted in this Congress, many questions remain for a re-elected Obama administration and the new congress to address. Certainly, the levels of federal funding for investment in transportation infrastructure will be affected by broader considerations of the nation’s fiscal circumstances, including persistent annual budget deficits and possible consideration of comprehensive tax reform. This panel of transportation experts and stakeholders examined pressing questions in that context:

Are there likely to be increases in user-based transportation revenues, including the federal gasoline tax, and how will the administration and Congress deal with the continued viability of the Highway and Aviation Trust Funds? From where will the money come to invest in infrastructure, including addressing the protection of vulnerable coastal and inland areas from the likelihood of future, and potentially catastrophic, floods and storm surges? Will infrastructure investment be part of any ‘grand bargain’ over deficit and debt reduction? And how might the results of the 2012 presidential and congressional elections influence legislative and administrative actions both in the current ‘lame duck’ session and in the next two years?

Consequences of Underinvesting in Transportation: The Need for Sustainable Solutions

Sep. 13, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

Event Recap: Absent Programmatic Reforms, Cutting Federal Transportation Funds is Shortsighted

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) and the Eno Center for Transportation released their co-authored report, The Consequences of Reduced Federal Transportation Investment, outlining the foreseeable consequences of reductions in federal surface transportation funding. Focusing on the likely impacts of a 35 percent reduction in federal surface transportation funding by state agencies and transit authorities, the report emphasizes the need to institute a sustainable stream of transportation revenues and investment resources.

The presentation of the report was followed by a panel discussion of top experts from government and the transportation sector, who discussed the consequences of Congress' failure to address the issue of sustainable funding in the recently enacted MAP-21 as well as possible methods for establishing long term financial resources for transportation.

Getting Infrastructure Going: Expediting Project Delivery and Environmental Review

Jun. 28, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

Blog Recap: Provisions to Streamline Environmental Review for Transportation Projects Go Under the Microscope

Environmental streamlining is one of the key issues currently before the surface transportation conference committee. Both the Senate- and House-passed bills propose changes in, and new limits to, the application of environmental laws to transportation projects. Delays in project delivery add costs to transportation capital budgets and undermine public trust in, and support for, the restoration and expansion of the nation's transportation infrastructure. While there is broad acceptance of the need to expedite project delivery, agreement about how to achieve this end remains elusive and often controversial.

This panel of experts on transportation policy and regulatory review, including federal and state officials, discussed ways to accelerate infrastructure project delivery, including environmental reviews and procurement, bidding, and construction contracting requirements. In discussing this issue, panelists responded to a new paper by Regional Plan Association that discusses best practices in the environmental review process, while achieving strong environmental protections.

The event is in partnership with the Eno Center for Transportation and Regional Plan Association with additional support provided by AECOM and the Northeast Maglev.

Better Use of Public Dollars: Economic Impact Analysis in Transportation

Jun. 8, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

The Eno Center for Transportation (Eno) presented its first annual William P. Eno Research Paper, a competitive paper competition among Eno's Leadership Development Conference Fellows. Authored by Texas A&M Graduate Nick Norboge, the paper focuses on the economic impacts of the transportation decision-making process. The paper uses federal and state case studies to demonstrate that economic impact analyses can help to increase accountability and transparency, and it proposes policy changes that can further their application.

The presentation of the paper was followed by responses to it by a panel of top experts from the government and the transportation industry. The panelists drew on their own experience to reflect and comment on economic impacts of transportation investment.

NextGen: Aligning Costs, Benefits and Political Leadership

Apr. 4, 2012
Bipartisan Policy Center

The Eno Center for Transportation (Eno) presented its recently completed paper on the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). NextGen is a comprehensive overhaul of our National Airspace System, replacing an aging ground-based radar system, with a satellite/GPS based system. With a continuous roll-out of improvements and upgrades, NextGen has the potential to guide and track air traffic with more precision and efficiency, reducing congestion, fuel consumption, noise and pollution.

Bridge-Builder Breakfast: Long-term Foundations: Creating Jobs and Investing in Infrastructure at a Time of Fiscal Austerity

Oct. 20, 2011
Bipartisan Policy Center

Read a blog post recapping the event here.

As Congress prepares for another round of budget battles, and as the Super Committee works to tame our growing deficits and debt, BPC held a Bridge-Builder Breakfast on the relationship between jumpstarting job creation, the need for increased infrastructure investments and the politics of fiscal austerity.

Performance Driven: Achieving Wiser Investment in Transportation

Jun. 16, 2011
The Bipartisan Policy Center

UPDATE: Read a blog post recapping the event here.

The Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project (NTPP) held a press conference for the release of its new report

Performance Driven: Achieving Wiser Investment in Transportation

Committee Hearing: Improving and Reforming the Nation's Surface Transportation Programs

Mar. 30, 2011
2167 Rayburn House Office Building

National Transportation Policy Project Co-Chair Sherwood Boehlert testifed before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on national surface transportation programs. Read more here.

Press Release

Electrification of Transportation

Mar. 3, 2011
Bipartisan Policy Center

The Bipartisan Policy Center held a debate on the Electrification of Transportation between...

Robbie Diamond
President and CEO, Securing America's Future Energy and the Electrification Coalition

and

Charles Lane
Editorial Writer, The Washington Post

Strengthening Connections Between Transportation Investments and Economic Growth

Jan. 21, 2011
The Bipartisan Policy Center

The Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project held a press conference to release its latest paper, Strengthening Connections Between Transportation Investments and Economic Growth.

The press conference featured remarks by NTPP members and authors Douglas Holtz-Eakin of the American Action Forum and Martin Wachs of RAND Corporation.

Critical Issues in Climate Change Speaker Series: Transportation and Climate – Economic Growth and Implications of the Midterm Elections on Future Policy

Oct. 26, 2010
Columbus Room

The Bipartisan Policy Center co-hosted an event with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, as part of their ongoing speaker series on critical issues in climate change. Panelists discussed the significant impact that transportation policy has on our economy, climate and on the well-being of communities. Panelists suggested ways in which reforming federal transportation policy could help ensure long-term, sustainable economic growth, energy security and environmental protection.

How Fair is Road Pricing?

Sep. 29, 2010
Rayburn House House Building

The Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project (NTPP) with Co-Hosts Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congressman David Reichert (R-WA) hosted a policy briefing

Bridge-Builder Breakfast: Difficult Choices: Transportation Spending in An Age of Fiscal Crisis

Feb. 25, 2010
Bipartisan Policy Center

A new series presented by the BPC, Bridge-Builder Breakfasts highlight institutions and individuals who are reaching across political lines to solve critical challenges facing the country. At a time when partisan conflicts often attract the most attention, the BPC is committed to creating a forum for those who, despite differing views, are willing to collaborate in order to advance the common good.

Discussion of "Performance Driven: A New Vision for U.S. Transportation Policy" in New York City

Jan. 25, 2010
The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center at New York University

Read NTPP's blog - Oh, the Places You'll Go - for a detailed summary of the event here.

Former U.S. Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, Co-Chair of the National Transportation Policy Project, led a discussion with transportation stakeholders about the BPC's recently released report, Performance Driven: A New Vision for U.S. Transportation Policy.