Move LA : NIDB




			National Infrastructure Development Bank National Infrastructure Development Bank, HR 2521 (DeLauro, Conn.) Modeled after the European Investment Bank, if created, such an institution can provide low or very low interest loans secured by Measure R revenue and, thus, provide capital to accelerate the development of many Measure R projects: Summary of NIDB: http://movela.org/letters/NIDBSummary.pdf Move LA sign on letter supporting NIDB Bill: http://movela.org/letters/SignonNIDB.pdf Design of the NIDB http://www.ampo.org/assets/library/210_hillmemoibank7109.doc Text of the Bill: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2521 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2521.IH: Article on author’s website: http://delauro.house.gov/release.cfm?id=2553 LA Metro staff report recommending support for the NIDB Bill. http://www.metro.net/board/Items/2009/06_June/20090618EMACItem63.pdf Summary of 2007 Dodd/Hagel proposal: http://dodd.senate.gov/multimedia/2007/080107_InfrastructurePacket.pdf Articles about the proposed NIDB http://www.nybooks.com/articles/21873 http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/12/09/obama_bonds/ http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/26/infrastructure-bank-plan-gaining-attention-and-momentum/ http://www.wateronline.com/article.mvc/CGLA-Infrastructure-National-Infrastructure-0001?VNETCOOKIE=NO Federal Transportation Reauthorization Bill (MAP 21) Every six years the Federal Government is scheduled to approve legislation that governs the federal surface transportation investment program. On September 30, 2009, the previous Federal Transportation Authorization, entitled SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) will expire. The Bush Administration’s $286.4 billion measure for investment in the interstate highway system, transit systems around the country, bicycling and pedestrian facilities, and freight rail operations is expected to be significantly increased, perhaps to as high as $500 billion. These investments have historically been funded through the national tax on vehicle fuel, currently at $18.4 per gallon of gasoline, unchanged since 1997. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has released a summary and “blueprint” for the bill he intends to serve as the basis for discussion in the House of Representatives. The Obama Administration has argued for an 18 month delay, and an extension of the current legislation until then. Senator Barbara Boxer, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the key coordinating committee for this legislation on the Senate side, has supported the Obama Administration’s call for a “clean” extension and delay. Oberstar has objected to delay and said he will push forward with a bill on the House side in any event. A likely compromise may be a shorter extension with reforms that enhance total funding levels and improve the position of transit in funding formulas. Move LA will seek to ensure strong transit commitments and enhanced funding commitments to major metropolitan areas in the pending discussion with emphasis on performance driven standards that prioritize enhancing economic competitiveness, producing good jobs, while reducing vehicle miles traveled, smog emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. Oberstar Blueprint for House version of the Federal Transportation Reauthorization Bill: Executive Summary of Blueprint for Reform: http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/Highways/HPP/Surface%20Transportation%20Blueprint%20Executive%20Summary.pdf Federal Surface Transportation Framework: http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/Highways/HPP/Surface%20Transportation%20Blueprint%20Program%20Consolidation.pdf Blueprint for Investment and Reform: http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/Highways/HPP/Surface%20Transportation%20Blueprint.pdf Senator Boxer statement re delay of Federal Transportation Reauthorization: http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=f02eb7e8-802a-23ad-4046-78d2dbaace77&Region_id=&Issue_id= American Clean Energy and Security Act, HR 2454 (Waxman, CA) also known as the Climate Bill. This is a comprehensive energy bill designed to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent by 2020. It intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to global climate change and to require a shift to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal and away from fossil fuels, which release heat-trapping gases when burned. The bill places a national limit on greenhouse gas emissions from major sources like power plants, refineries and factories. It proposes the creation of a cap-and-trade program sets a limit on the greenhouse gases that can be released into the atmosphere and a program of offsets whereby a company can invest in emission reductions elsewhere to offset their own emissions in excess of their allowance. It includes energy efficiency incentives for homes and buildings, grants for green jobs, and incentives for carbon capture and sequestration strategies. Transportation advocates argued that as much as 10% of the revenue expected to be generated by the program should be invested in programs to reduce vehicle miles traveled, such as transit operating subsidies. As approved in the House, only 1% of revenue was set aside for that purpose. Press release after House approval of Climate Bill: http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1630:energy-and-commerce-committee-passes-comprehensive-clean-energy-legislation&catid=122:media-advisories&Itemid=55 Climate Bill: Summary: http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090724/hr2454_housesummary.pdf Section by section summary: http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090720/hr2454_sectionsummary.pdf Full text of HR 2454: http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090701/hr2454_house.pdf Articles pertaining to the Climate Bill: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/us/politics/22climate.html?_r=1 http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/the-climate-bill-debate-continues/ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24232.html Now the action moves to the Senate, initially in the Environment and Public Works Committee Chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer of California. Boxer Opening Statement: "Hearing on Climate Change and Ensuring that America Leads the Clean Energy Transformation" http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=f037533f-802a-23ad-4987-0842f3a54855 Move LA will urge significant transit operating funding in the final Senate version of this measure. CLEAN, LOW-EMISSION, AFFORDABLE, NEW TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT (CLEAN-TEA) H.R. 1329 Introduced by Representatives Blumenauer (D-OR, 3rd), Tauscher (D-CA, 10th) and LaTourette (R-OH, 14th) S. 575 introduced by Senators Carper (D-DE) and Specter (R-PA) Official Summary: http://movela.org/PDF/OfficialSummaryHR1329.pdf Fact Sheet: http://www.bikeleague.org/conferences/summit09/clean_tea_factsheet.pdf Blumenauer release: http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1442 Text of Bill: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-1329 http://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/CMS/Government_Affairs/Federal_Government_Affairs/2008_Lobby_Day/CLEAN%20TEA%20HR%201329.pdf National Transportation Objectives Act HR 2724 Introduced by Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) Bill Text: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2724 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.2724.IH: Calpirg sign-on letter http://movela.org/PDF/HR2724letterCalpirg.pdf Explanation of HR 2724 Objectives http://movela.org/PDF/ExplanationHR2724.pdf