The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Early Signals for Reauthorization
Congress is drafting a surface transportation reauthorization, and early marker bills are already shaping the debate. The GREEN Streets Act would require the DOT to set emission‑reduction standards for road projects, while House leaders push a $250 annual fee on electric vehicles that dwarfs the $95 gas tax. A bipartisan proposal would raise state flexibility to shift up to 75% of highway funds to other programs. These contrasting ideas highlight a split between climate‑focused reforms and funding shortcuts that could erode accountability.
Here’s How We Will Grade the Next Surface Reauthorization Bill
Transportation for America (T4America) will release a public scorecard for the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization, grading the bill against three core principles: safety over speed, fixing existing infrastructure first, and investing in broader mobility options. The organization will use a...
We’re Hiring: T4America Policy Lead (Senior Policy Manager or Policy Director)
Transportation for America, the policy arm of Smart Growth America, is hiring a senior policy leader to steer its federal surface transportation reauthorization strategy and manage a growing policy team. The role focuses on advancing three priorities—repairing infrastructure, prioritizing safety,...
“Why Do We Do This Bill?” Preparing Congressional Staff for Surface Transportation Reauthorization
Transportation For America (T4America) hosted two briefings this month for House and Senate staff to demystify the upcoming surface‑transportation reauthorization, a process that recurs roughly every five years. The sessions revealed that most attendees were new to reauthorization, highlighting a...
The Trump Administration Tried to Rip Out a Bike Lane in DC. They’re Trying to Do the Same Nationwide.
The Trump administration’s effort to dismantle a protected bike lane on 15th Street in Washington, D.C. was temporarily halted by a lawsuit, highlighting its broader push to curtail active‑transport infrastructure. At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)...
Yes, Even the Suburbs Want More Transit
Suburban communities are increasingly investing in public transit to address rising poverty and high car‑ownership costs. In 2024, 46 of 53 transit‑funding ballot measures succeeded, including measures in Flagstaff, AZ and Owosso, MI, reflecting strong voter support. Projects such as...
Analysis: New CBO Projection Accounting for Trump Administration Policies Shows Americans Will Pay Billions More in Fuel Taxes
The Congressional Budget Office now projects that Americans will pay more than $80 billion in additional gasoline taxes over the next decade, a sharp rise from earlier forecasts. The increase stems from Trump‑era transportation rollbacks that discourage fuel‑efficiency measures and freeze...