Experts Offer Advice on the Next Transportation Bill

National Journal Magazine has asked it's team of political insiders/bloggers to give their thoughts on how the next federal transportation bill should be written.

1 minute read

December 8, 2008, 9:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Although we don't have a new Transportation secretary yet, we do know that the most important task that person will face will be guiding the reauthorization of the surface transportation law (SAFETEA-LU), which expires Sept. 30, 2009. The nation's transportation needs have changed and expanded dramatically since the Eisenhower administration launched the Interstate System in 1956. At the same time, the fuels tax that has funded the program since its inception can no longer serve as the sole source of revenue as people drive more fuel-efficient vehicles. What do you think the new secretary's top five priorities should be for updating the law to meet the nation's 21st-century transportation needs?"

Respondents include current Transportation Secretary Mary peters, former Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.), Bob Poole of the Reason Foundation, and Planetizen Interchange blogger Ken Orski.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 in National Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15 - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

April 15 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

April 15 - NBC Dallas