Rep. Michael G. Grimm has introduced what may be this legislative season's most unobjectionable, and adorable, bill: the Pets on Trains Act of 2013.
"[Rep. Michael G. Grimm] and [his Yorkie] Sebastian headlined the news conference outside Union Station designed to pressure Amtrak to allow dogs and cats on pet-approved train cars," reports The Washington Post's Reliable Source blog. "The event, heavy on canine cuteness and human speeches, featured bill sponsors Grimm, Rep. Jeff Denham (who brought his French bulldog, Lily) and Rep. Steve Cohen. A dozen other small dogs were there to amp up the cuteness factor, including Monkey, a King Charles spaniel, and Winston, a fairly dignified, Union Jack-sweater-wearing English bulldog."
“In our modern society, dogs and cats are frequently the subject of laws that remove them from the picture,” the Hallmark Channel’s Laura Nativo told the crowd. “But is that really in our best interest?”
FULL STORY: Congressmen use adorable dogs to persuade Amtrak to allow pets on trains

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
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