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Tuesday December 2, 2008

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Transportation

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 PortfolioA Bridge to Somewhere: Rethinking American Transportation for the 21st Century

Robert Puentes, June 12, 2008, The Brookings Institution

A Bridge to Somewhere: Rethinking American Transportation for the 21st CenturyRobert Puentes calls on the federal government to empower major metropolitan areas by giving them direct transportation funding and the flexibility to make unbiased decisions between different modes of transportation. The federal government can then maximize performance by committing itself (and the recipients of federal funds) to an evidence-based, outcome driven, and benchmarked way of doing business. Read More

Transportation, Federalism, Highways, Traffic, Environment

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAmerica’s Infrastructure: Ramping Up or Crashing Down

Bruce Katz, Christopher Geissler and Robert Puentes, January 2008, The Brookings Institution

America’s Infrastructure: Ramping Up or Crashing DownAmerica’s bridges, roads, rails and web of channel communications form the connective tissue that we call infrastructure. When these underpinnings start to crumble, so does the economic competitiveness of the nation. The third Bernard L. Schwartz Forum on Competitiveness explored the challenges and opportunities for new infrastructure investment. Read More

Infrastructure, Competitiveness, Transportation, U.S. Economic Growth, U.S. Economy

AUDIO

Save to My PortfolioDriving Competitiveness: A Transportation Policy for the 21st Century

June 12, 2008

This session explored a new plan to overhaul U.S. transportation policy to meet the needs of the 21st century economy. This included a discussion of the key economic, environmental challenges facing metro areas, the flaws in the current federal policy response and recommendations for a new, unified, and competitive vision for federal transportation policy.

Competitiveness, Transportation, Highways, U.S. Economy

VIDEO

Save to My PortfolioTransportation and the Economy

Mary Peters, Robert Puentes, Clifford Winston and Jason Bordoff, April 28, 2008

Transportation and the EconomyThe nation’s transportation network is critical to America's commerce and our way of life. Population shifts, congestion and infrastructure all challenge its efficiency. The Brookings Institution’s Opportunity 08 project examined the issue of transportation in America in a forum featuring U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and a panel of Brookings experts.

Transportation, Infrastructure, Airline Industry, Traffic, Highways

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioBeginning Again: A Metropolitan Transportation Vision for the 21st Century

Robert Puentes, April 09, 2008, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

During this time of economic uncertainty, environmental anxiety and household stress the nation must get the most out of its largest discretionary domestic program—transportation. In recent testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Robert Puentes recommends the federal government adopt a three-pronged strategy to lead in certain areas, empower states and metropolitan areas in others and maximize performance across the nation. Read More

Transportation, Traffic, U.S. Economy

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioVisioning Transportation’s Future: SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization and Beyond

Robert Puentes, February 05, 2008, The Brookings Institution

As part of this session at the National Association of Regional Councils annual meeting in Washington, DC, Robert Puentes discusses urgency of transportation accessibility, connectivity, and mobility issues that affecting the prosperity and vitality of the nation and its metropolitan areas. He highlights several critical flaws in current U.S. transportation policy today and offers a broad three-part framework for a new transportation agenda. Read More

Transportation, Infrastructure, Competitiveness

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDetroit Needs a Selloff, Not a Bailout

Robert W. Crandall and Clifford Winston, November 27, 2008, The Wall Street Journal

Robert Crandall and Clifford Winston discuss a proposal for automakers they think will cost taxpayers less and, in the long run, be more beneficial to labor and the overall economy than either a straight bailout or bankruptcy. Read More

Financial Markets, Transportation, Fiscal Policy, U.S. Economy

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

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAssessing America’s Infrastructure Challenges

Robert Puentes, October 02, 2008, The Basic Industries Group

In this presentation Robert Puentes provides a deeper understanding of the range of demographic and market forces which effect American infrastructure and investment opportunities and possibilities therein. Read More

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

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

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDemographic Trends Affecting Transportation in the U.S.

Robert Puentes, September 11, 2008, Women’s Transportation Policy Seminar

In this presentation Robert Puentes provides a deeper understanding of trends that are impacting metropolitan America and how those trends may impact the transportation demand and service in the coming decades. The presentation stresses several key points including dramatic changes in household formation, the increasing diversity reflected in both cities and suburban areas, and the key spatial effects on the American landscape. Read More

Transportation, Traffic, U.S. Economy, Demographics

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioPublic Transit's Role in Reducing Dependence on Foreign Oil

Robert Puentes, September 09, 2008, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

In Senate testimony, Robert Puentes argues that America's transportation system is "no longer aligned with the way we live or work, nor with the major economic, energy and environmental challenges facing the country." He outlines how federal policies for public transit can reduce dependence on foreign oil, encourage energy sustainability and promote economic efficiency. Read More

Transportation, Traffic, U.S. Economy, Energy Security

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 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

In Brief

Highway, rail and aviation systems are vital to the national and global economy. They move our citizens and our products and they make us more productive – but they can also contribute to sprawl, air pollution and global warming. Brookings experts look at how to most productively invest in our transportation infrastructure.

Featured Experts

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

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

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Spotlight

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.