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Tuesday December 2, 2008

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Infrastructure

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioMemo to the President: Invest in Long-Term Prosperity

Bruce Katz, January 12, 2009, The Brookings Institution

Memo to the President: Invest in Long-Term ProsperityTo secure long-term prosperity, the United States should build on the assets of America’s metropolitan areas. Federal policy reforms to enhance their innovation, human capital, infrastructure and quality places will ultimately help our economy to grow in more productive, inclusive and sustainable ways. Read More

Competitiveness, Cities, U.S. Economy, Infrastructure

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioGetting Infrastructure Bang for the Buck

Robert Puentes, November 13, 2008, The New Republic

In this opinion piece published in the New Republic, Robert Puentes argues that President-elect Obama has a tremendous opportunity to connect infrastructure spending to broad national goals (such as economic competitiveness and environmental sustaianability). In this way the federal stimulus dollars can accelerate the right kind of projects in the right places, creating jobs and waking up related areas of the economy. Read More

Infrastructure, Transportation, Competitiveness, Cities, The Presidential Transition

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioObama's Economic Priorities

Jeffrey R. Kling, November 07, 2008

Obama's Economic PrioritiesPresident-elect Obama held his first press conference today, focusing on the economy. Kling commented on Obama’s address saying the nation needs two rounds of stimulus to kick-start the economy—the first to stem recent job losses and help homeowners, and then to focus on longer-term growth.

U.S. Economy, Unemployment, Labor, Infrastructure, Taxes

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioOptions for Metropolitan Transit Funding

Robert Puentes, September 15, 2008, New York State Commission on MTA Financing

In this testimony, Robert Puentes argues that congestion pricing holds the most promise for securing the financial future of New York City and its transit agency over the next several years. A recent proposal to charge drivers that enter a "congestion zone" in Manhattan was slated to raise more than a half million dollars annually for transit. The current funding challenges are bolstering the case for revisiting that proposal. Read More

Transportation, Traffic, U.S. Economy, Infrastructure, U.S. Department of Transportation

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioThe Future of U.S. Homeland Security

Michael Chertoff, September 05, 2008

The Future of U.S. Homeland SecurityAgainst the backdrop of an active hurricane season and the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Brookings hosted Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff for a discussion of lessons learned and the challenges ahead. The department’s mission of protecting Americans against both natural and man-made disasters, he argues, depends on government partnerships and protecting critical infrastructure.

Homeland Security, Infrastructure, Natural Disasters

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioCandidate Issue Index: Transportation

Robert Puentes, August 26, 2008, The Brookings Institution

Candidate Issue Index: TransportationRobert Puentes presents the presidential candidates' positions on transportation issues, including federal transportation financing, telecommuting and public transit. This chart is part of a series of issue indices to be published during the 2008 presidential election cycle. Read More

Transportation, Infrastructure, Traffic, Cities, Regions and States

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Impact of Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance in California

Jason E. Bordoff and Pascal J. Noel, July 2008, The Brookings Institution

In a follow up to their Hamilton Project discussion paper, Pay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance: A Simple Way to Reduce Driving-Related Harms and Increase Equity, Jason Bordoff and Pascal Noel examine the effects of pay-as-you-drive in California. Read More

Infrastructure, Climate and Energy Economics, California, Environment

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioMinneapolis: Our Bridge is Fixed; The Problem is Not

Bruce Katz and R.T. Rybak, July 31, 2008, The Brookings Institution

The replacement for the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis that collapsed one year ago is nearing completion. But, argue Bruce Katz and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, the calls for reinvestment in transportation infrastructure have not been heeded. As outlined by the Metropolitan Policy Program, the federal government needs to systematically identify, map and prioritize the nation-shaping projects that require federal investment, breaking radically from our current practices. It shouldn’t take another bridge collapse to teach us. Read More

Infrastructure, Transportation, Competitiveness, Cities

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioInsurance Pricing Can Cut Gas Use

Jason E. Bordoff and Pascal J. Noel, July 29, 2008, The Hartford Courant

There is little lawmakers can do in the short run to reduce prices at the pump, argue Jason Bordoff and Pascal Noel. What if there were a way to lower the cost of driving while still encouraging people to drive less and use less oil? The authors examine how pay-as-you-drive auto insurance supports this goal. Read More

Infrastructure, Climate and Energy Economics, Environment, Traffic, Transportation

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAn Economic Strategy for Investing in America's Infrastructure

Manasi Deshpande and Douglas W. Elmendorf, July 2008, Hamilton Project Strategy Paper

Infrastructure investment has received more attention in recent years because of increased delays from road and air congestion, high-profile infrastructure failures, and rising concerns about energy security and climate change.  Manasi Deshpande and Doug Elmendorf discuss a strategy for America to increase investment in physical and telecommunications infrastructure to spur a more prosperous economy. Read More

Infrastructure, Transportation, Competitiveness, Broadband Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAmerica's Traffic Congestion Problem: Toward a Framework for National Reform

David Lewis, July 2008, Hamilton Project Discussion Paper

A large and growing burden on the nation’s economy, traffic congestion arises for various reasons, and more than one mechanism is needed to combat it.  In a discussion paper for The Hamilton Project, David Lewis proposes a nationwide congestion pricing system to combat the financial and social costs of congestion. Read More

Infrastructure, Traffic, Transportation

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Untapped Promise of Wireless Spectrum

Philip J. Weiser, July 2008, Hamilton Project Discussion Paper

The public "airwaves," or the radio spectrum, are a tremendously valuable asset that remains partially untapped by entrepreneurs and users.  In a discussion paper for the Hamilton Project, Philip J. Weiser discusses how to expand access to wireless spectrum to bring more households internet access. Read More

Broadband Policy, Infrastructure, Competitiveness

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioBringing Broadband to Unserved Communities

John M. Peha, July 2007, Hamilton Project Discussion Paper

Roughly one-third of households in rural America cannot subscribe to broadband Internet services at any price.  In a discussion paper for The Hamilton Project, John M. Peha discusses expanding broadband service to rural communities to expend technological infrastructure and promote economic growth.  Read More

Broadband Policy, Competitiveness, Infrastructure

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioPay-As-You-Drive Auto Insurance: A Simple Way to Reduce Driving-Related Harms and Increase Equity

Jason E. Bordoff and Pascal J. Noel, July 2008, Hamilton Project Discussion Paper

The current lump-sum pricing of auto insurance is inefficient and inequitable.  In a discussion paper for The Hamilton Project Jason E. Bordoff and Pascal J. Noel propose Pay-As-You-Drive auto insurance as a more effecient means of pricing for the auto insurance industry. Read More

Infrastructure, Transportation, Climate Change, Climate and Energy Economics, Regulation

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAir Support: Creating a Safer and More Reliable Air Traffic Control System

Dorothy Robyn, July 2008, Hamilton Project Discussion Paper

Our nation’s air traffic control system, run by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has not kept up with the explosive growth in air travel.  In as discussion paper for the Hamilton Project, Dorothy Robyn proposes to measures to increase air traffic effeciency and safety. Read More

Airline Industry, Infrastructure, Transportation, Technology

In Brief

Infrastructure—freight ports, airports, bridges, roads, rail and transit networks, water and sewer systems and the web of channel communications—is America’s connective tissue and crucial to its economic competitiveness. Smart policies and investments can enhance the health and vitality of metropolitan areas, where the bulk of the U.S. population lives.

Featured Experts

Bruce Katz

Bruce Katz

Vice President and Director, Metropolitan Policy Program
The Adeline M. and Alfred I. Johnson Chair in Urban and Metropolitan Policy

Bruce Katz, vice president and founding director of the Metropolitan Policy Program, regularly advises national, state, regional and municipal leaders on policy reforms that advance the competitiveness of metropolitan areas.
Read More

Robert Puentes

Robert Puentes

Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program

Robert Puentes focuses on the broad array of policies and issues related to metropolitan growth and development. He is an expert on transportation and infrastructure, urban planning, growth management, suburban issues and housing.
Read More

Clifford Winston

Clifford Winston

Senior Fellow, Economic Studies

Cliff Winston’s research focuses on microeconomic policy and government performance. He has written extensively on regulation and transportation.
Read More

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Spotlight

Research ProjectLatin America Initiative

The Latin America Initiative provides high-quality, in-depth, and independent research across a range of economic and political issues, and offers policy recommendations aimed at U.S. and Latin American policymakers.

Research ProjectThe Hamilton Project

The Hamilton Project produces research and policy proposals on how to create a growing economy that benefits more Americans. Their agenda also focuses on enhancing individual economic security and effective public investments. 

ExpertMartin S. Indyk

Ambassador to Israel and assistant secretary of state for near east affairs during the Clinton Administration, Martin Indyk directs the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. He currently focuses on the Clinton administration’s diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

ExpertHugh B. Price

Former president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League, Hugh Price is an expert on education, civil rights, equal opportunity and criminal justice. His 40-year career spans journalism, philanthropy, the law, and social advocacy.

ExpertMauricio Cárdenas

Mauricio Cárdenas is a senior fellow and director of the Latin American Initiative. Formerly minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and director of National Planning of Colombia, his research focuses on international and development economics. He is also the president of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA).

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ExpertSarah A. Binder

Sarah Binder is an expert on Congress and legislative politics.  She is completing a project on the politics of advice and consent, and is at work on the politics of how Congress responds to financial crises.

ExpertEswar Prasad

Eswar Prasad, the Tolani Senior Professor of Trade Policy at Cornell University, is a senior fellow in Global Economy and Development. He was previously head of the Financial Studies Division and the China Division at the IMF.

ExpertJulia B. Isaacs

Julia Isaacs focuses on public investments in children and how children are affected by national budgetary policies. A former federal budget analyst, she also researches the economic mobility of children and families across the income spectrum.

ExpertDarrell M. West

Darrell M. West is the vice president and director of Governance Studies at Brookings. His studies include campaigns and elections, political advertising, mass media, public opinion, technology policy and electronic government.

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

ExpertMark B. McClellan

A medical doctor and economist, Mark McClellan works on promoting high-quality, innovative and affordable health care. Once commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. McClellan now directs the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform.

TopicMigration

Migration is an issue that bridges Brookings’s expertise in domestic and foreign policy. In the United States, reforming immigration policy remains a subject of intense political debate. Globally, the unprecedented movement of people across borders raises issues in both industrialized countries and the developing world.

ExpertRebecca Blank

Rebecca Blank is an expert on the interaction between the macroeconomy, government anti-poverty programs, and the behavior and well being of low-income families. She has just been named the Robert S. Kerr senior fellow at Brookings.

ExpertCarlos Pascual

Carlos Pascual is a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. As vice president and director of Foreign Policy, he focuses on post-conflict stabilization and international security policy.

ExpertDouglas W. Elmendorf

Doug Elmendorf, whose government posts have included the Federal Reserve, Treasury, Council of Economic Advisors, and CBO, focuses his research on macroeconomics and fiscal policy. He is co-editor of the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity and director of The Hamilton Project, which develops proposals for shared growth.

TOPICThe Presidential Transition

During the 77 days from the election to the Inauguration, Brookings experts will offer 12 "Memos to the President" on top policy priorities across the spectrum of domestic and global challenges, plus additional advice on transitioning from campaigning to governing.