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  • EDITORIAL
    Mar 9, 2010 — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
    Congestion at the Tower 55 rail crossing has been a headache for years. Fort Worth-based BNSF, despite hard times, had net income of $2 billion on revenue of $13.8 billion last year. The Regional Transportation Council, the body's transportation planning arm, is contributing $322.1 million toward construction of the Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail tollway from downtown Fort Worth to Cleburne.
  • First grandma keeps low profile
    Mar 9, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
    Robinson also enjoys going to Las Vegas. Shields, 59, has visited his sister at the White House three times, most recently for a large family gathering at Thanksgiving. One is the White House staff. "The staff there is awesome. The kids, Sasha and Malia, they really love and respect her.
  • High Five project to connect Dallas trails to northern neighbors
    Mar 9, 2010 — The Dallas Morning News
    ...north or south. But thanks to a $4.2 million project, the High Five's days as a trail obstacle are about to end. Two path sections under the High Five, connecting the Cottonwood Trail, are scheduled to open in May, weather permitting. "For anyone wanting to travel by bike or walking long distance, this is almost the only way to get north into the Far North Dallas, Plano and Richardson area from kind of central Dallas," said Jared White, a project manager with the Dallas...
  • Michelle Obama donates ball gown to Smithsonian
    Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
    Obama's donation has added significance since hers is the first gown worn by a first lady of color. The new gallery will feature a total of 10 inaugural dresses.Wu joined Mrs. He also liked Jackie Kennedy's white dress.
  • Obama back on the campaign trail, this time for health care
    Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
    This time, the goal is not the White House, but a final health care bill. We were sent there to solve the big challenges." As with any campaign, average Americans speak at Obama's rallies to discuss their health care problems. The health care campaign also has its share of political intrigue.
  • Reid files to run for fifth term
    Mar 9, 2010 — Las Vegas Review-Journal
    Reid's filing for re-election comes the same day that figures show Nevada's jobless rate remained unchanged from December to January, stalling at 13 percent, while unemployment in Clark County surged to 13.8 percent. Nevada's employers cut 25,300 jobs during the month, according to the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. In a statement before he filed, Reid said the economic recovery act, or stimulus bill, prevented things from getting worse in Nevada and the...
  • Short-staffed agency overseeing high-speed-rail effort draws fire
    Mar 9, 2010 — USA Today
    ...got $2.3 billion for a 220-mph route between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Florida, which got $1.3 billion to develop a 168-mph rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando.Most of the rest went to smaller projects to increase speeds on Amtrak routes or plan for future projects in 11 other rail corridors linking large cities.Congress added $2.5 billion more for high-speed rail to the Transportation Department's 2010 budget, and the White House has asked for $1 billion more next...
  • Smog-cutting status reviewed
    Mar 9, 2010 — The Charlotte Observer
    ...impact emissions. Steinman said no rapid transit project or highway has any significant impact on the city meeting its pollution goals. He said cars that emit fewer smog-producing pollutants will be responsible for the area's ozone reductions -- not a single transit project or highway. The air-quality plan assumed there wouldn't be a streetcar running through central Charlotte. Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess said the streetcar should be included, and said it's likely the...
  • Square Feet: New Airport, Northwest Florida Beaches International, to Open
    Mar 9, 2010 — New York Times
    Joe Company, the Florida developer that donated the land for the new airport and is the driving force behind the project. The existing Panama City-Bay County International Airport handles 11 departures a day, with about 160,000 departing passengers a year. Joe agreed to in order to mitigate the effects of building the airport on wetlands.
  • The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky., Merlene Davis column: E-mail shows racism is tenacious
    Mar 9, 2010 — Lexington Herald-Leader
    I asked how Jane was doing, he told me she was in bad shape, in a nursing home, has Alzheimer's and no longer recognizes anyone, how sad. Political humor. Later, when the criticism began to fly from several of the recipients and the mayor of Nashville, Baker apologized. But, last I heard, Michelle Obama is not the president. Why is Michelle such a lightning rod for such attacks couched as jokes?
  • Dems' rosiest outlook in years for gov seat
    Mar 8, 2010 — Houston Chronicle
    If this election is about Obama and health care, Bill White loses. He said that Texas, in better shape than most during the recession, still has the highest number of unemployed in its history.
  • Express toll lane project on I-95 being scaled back
    Mar 8, 2010 — The Baltimore Sun
    The authority plans to open it in 2013-2014 -- earlier than it would have had the ramps been part of the plan -- with two tolled lanes in each direction. Tolls would fluctuate according to demand, going high enough at peak times to keep the express lanes free-flowing. Legislative analysts outlined how the system's need for revenue could affect individual facilities' tolls for two-axle vehicles.
  • Express toll lane project on I-95 being scaled back: Roads, bridges, tunnels to get redirected money for upkeep
    Mar 8, 2010 — The Baltimore Sun
    Legislative budget analysts -- though not the authority itself -- have outlined a scenario under which tolls for the Baltimore Harbor crossings and the Bay Bridge would double by 2013. Tolls would fluctuate according to demand, going high enough at peak times to keep the express lanes free-flowing. Legislative analysts outlined how the system's need for revenue could affect individual facilities' tolls for two-axle vehicles.
  • Green Party in California trying to stem shrinking numbers
    Mar 8, 2010 — San Jose Mercury News
    For example, he said, the party is trying to get instant-runoff voting in San Jose on the November ballot. Also, they say, Greens defected because they wanted to vote for liberal Ohio U.S. Rep. The initiative would establish a single primary open to all registered voters.
  • Obama Brings Health Pitch To Pa.
    Mar 8, 2010 — Politico
    He appealed to Democrats who are undecided by shaming the politics at play, even making a rare reference to President Bill Clinton’s failure to get health care reform. The issue is not politics.”The president was harsh in his assessment of insurance companies. The event was partially standing room only, but even those with seats stood on their feet for most of Obama’s TK-minute speech.
  • Obama: Greedy health insurers show need for reform
    Mar 8, 2010 — The Philadelphia Inquirer
    Louis, in the swing state of Missouri, to continue pressing his case. Pennsylvania is also a swing state, and Montgomery County is home to many independent voters who have been trending Democratic in recent national elections. But the latest polls suggest many independents are skeptical of a health care overhaul.In his speech Obama railed against the greed of health insurance companies.
  • OPINION
    Mar 8, 2010 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Obama did win the election, and still we're in a funk. Obama and his new-age, multiracial coalition represent a trend -- or a political aberration. The case for the trend theory is well-established. He didn't see that the Carter election was but an aberration in something important and something Southern -- but not the important Southern trend he thought he was observing.
  • Recent $237,000 In Transportation Funding Part Of A $152 Million Award
    Mar 8, 2010 — The Hartford Courant
    ...state legislator on Friday called the grant "disappointing and disheartening," and The Courant on Saturday described the award as part of a competitive program. But on Saturday, state Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie called the news reports "misleading," and praised the state's record for getting American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money. "Connecticut has fared extremely well in ARRA funding for transit and highway projects, and we are putting these dollars -- and...
  • Regional group looking at consulting costs
    Mar 8, 2010 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Verbanac, a former aide to the late Sen. Peduto said the SPC doesn't need anyone in Mr. Verbanac said he is not a lobbyist, SPC is not allowed to lobby, and Mr.
  • The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky., Merlene Davis column
    Mar 8, 2010 — Lexington Herald-Leader
    Political humor. Later, when the criticism began to fly from several of the recipients and the mayor of Nashville, Baker apologized. But, last I heard, Michelle Obama is not the president. Why is Michelle such a lightning rod for such attacks couched as jokes? Isn't she just as human, just as much a woman as Laura Bush and other first ladies?
  • Transportation agency wants the county to drop its lawsuit
    Mar 8, 2010 — The Press-Enterprise
    ...in Upland before settling. The county filed a lawsuit against Upland, Caltrans and SANBAG, saying those entities were responsible for a storm drain that was part of the alleged damages claimed by Colonies. SANBAG has budgeted $1.4 million for legal fees to date. The lawsuit has put the SANBAG board in an unusual position since it includes all five county supervisors and representatives of the county's 24 cities. The resolution accuses supervisors of failing to excuse...
  • Va. health bill could foil Obama proposal
    Mar 8, 2010 — The Boston Globe
    We said people have to take responsibility for getting insurance, if they can afford it, or paying their own way. No more free-riders.''That prompted the Democratic National Committee to send out a press release saying that Romney supports a federal mandate. But Romney went on to say that Massachusetts ``solved this at the state level - not a federal plan, but a state plan.
  • EDITORIAL: Note to critics: Roads, freeways subsidized, too
    Mar 7, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    The Milwaukee-Madison connection has intrinsic value, but it will have more value as part of a route that eventually links Chicago to the Twin Cities and points in between. Service on the Milwaukee-Madison route would start with six round trips at 79 mph in 2013, increasing to 110 mph in 2015. Bob Bauman, a longtime passenger rail supporter who believes the Madison station should be built downtown.
  • Chicago News Cooperative: Carp Solution Could Provide Financial Benefits
    Mar 6, 2010 — New York Times
    Proposals to block Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes have largely focused on the costs and inconvenience of closing off Chicago-area waterways into Lake Michigan. Illinois has battled other Great Lakes states in a war of words about the costs and risks associated with Asian carp. Within weeks, the Army Corps is expected to propose a solution for containing the carp.
  • In Aftermath Of Ash Spill, A New Round Of Challenges
    Mar 6, 2010 — New York Times
    Landfill operators first sent the water to wastewater treatment plants — a common way landfills deal with excess liquid — in two nearby Alabama cities, Marion and Demopolis. Hughes said Thursday that new orders proposed additional monitoring of the wastewater at the landfill and allowed Demopolis to accept it. Demopolis is the only treatment plant in Alabama taking the landfill wastewater, Mr.
  • Obama to Dems: Health bill results will be seen by midterm elections
    Mar 6, 2010 — The Hill
    Insurance companies will no longer be allowed to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. They will continue to refuse coverage based on pre-existing conditions. That’s why the United States Congress owes the American people an up-or-down vote on health insurance reform.”With the special election of Sen.
  • R.I. School Shake-Up Is Embraced by the President
    Mar 6, 2010 — New York Times
    The decision by the Central Falls school board came under the terms of a new Obama administration policy intended to spur interventions in thousands of failing schools nationwide. Marcia Reback, president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers, said members of the state’s Congressional delegation had urged the parties in Central Falls to return to the negotiating table. Obama, said the events in Rhode Island had left a bitter taste.
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