The new bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee "Provides for Smarter, More Efficient Amtrak Operations"; "Supports Aviation"; "Addresses Critical Housing Needs"; and "Funds Highway Spending", while cutting some critical programs.
"Over the committee's strong objections, Congress has passed major transportation authorization bills which established guaranteed levels of discretionary transportation spending. These laws amended the rules of the House to prevent consideration of appropriations bills unless they provide inflated levels of discretionary spending for certain transportation programs."
"The bill provides $900 million for Amtrak and includes significant financial and management reforms. The bill mandates that Amtrak reduce its operating subsidy which includes finding savings in food and beverage service, and first class service."
"Program Terminations
HOPE VI: -$99 million; Rural Housing and Economic Development: -$17 million; Section 108 loan guarantees: $4 million; Brownfields: -$10 million; FTA Small Starts: -$200 Million; Housing Counseling Assistance: -$45 million; National Defense Tank Vessel Construction Program: -$74 million; Open Roads Financing Pilot Program: -$100 million"
FULL STORY: FULL COMMITTEE PASSES FY07 TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT BILL
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SoCal Leaders Debate Moving Coastal Rail Line
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research