Oberstar
Oberstar's garbled account of tolls in HR44 bill, $130b+ debt, 91X Lanes myth
By Peter Samuel on April 5, 2010
James Oberstar, house transportation committee chairman is pushing a new version of his reauthorization bill. We've just spent several hours watching a video of the congressman's committee hearing of March 26 after several people said we'd got him wrong on tolling interstates in an earlier report (http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4672) We've made a transcript of his comments in context.
Professional opinion divided but slightly favors tolling interstates 55% to 45
By Peter Samuel on March 30, 2010House transportation chair Jim Oberstar's throwaway line that the interstates should not be tolled because they are "already been built and paid for" http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/4672. RODS & Bridges has an online poll showing 46% agree with Oberstar (we rounded down).
House transportation committee chair Oberstar says "No tolling interstates" - did he forget HB44?
By Peter Samuel on March 30, 2010
House transportation committee chairman James Oberstar said during a hearing on Capitol Hill March 26th that despite the major shortfall in revenue for gas tax-funded roads: "We're not going to allow tolling of the interstate highway system.
Reauthorization: a missed opportunity for transportation funding reform (GUEST AUTHOR)
By Peter Samuel on June 23, 2009by Marcus J. Lemon
On June 18, 2009, the leaders of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee published a blueprint of their proposed $450 billion six-year reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program.
Oberstar backtracks on vehicle-miles charge, aide says press "mistook" him
By Peter Samuel on May 8, 2009
US House Transportation chair Rep James Oberstar is attempting to backtrack from his recent advocacy of swift action to institute a national vehicle-miles charge. He has had an aide claim the press "mistook" him.
The aide John Schadl put out a statement this week as follows:
Oberstar would establish a monopoly in electronic toll equipment (EDITORIAL)
By Peter Samuel on January 11, 2009James Oberstar house transportation chair wants US Government 'stimulus' money to go only to projects that use items "manufactured in the United States." (Oberstar 2009-01-07 http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3922) The United States has only one factory manufacturing electronic toll transponders and readers - TransCore's in the 
northern part of Albuquerque NM.
House transport chair Oberstar proposes $85 billion 'stimulus' program - silent on toll role
By Peter Samuel on January 7, 2009House transportation & infrastructure chair James Oberstar (Dem MN) is proposing what he calls a $85 billion plan 
under the heading "Put Americans Back to Work". He outlined his proposal at a "National Economic Recovery Forum" on Capitol Hill today. The congressman proposes the $85b be split:
- $30b for highways and bridges (35%)
- $12b for transit (14%)
Oberstar gives JLO Safe Routes to School Award - FHWA, AASHTO tag along (COMMENT)
By Peter Samuel on October 30, 2007
What next? Congressional prizes, orders and medals issued by the grandees of Capitol Hill? Why not titles next? Knighthoods, baronies? Their issuance would be occasions for self promotion and fundraising, and what else is it that modern politicians look for.US Congressmen are taking it upon themselves to issue "awards." In their own name, to boot.
