Free Republic

When you think about Hunter Biden, what is the first thing that comes to mind? And please don't crack any jokes. Come on, pipe up. What do you associate Hunter Biden with? Laptops? Perhaps but it could be another L-word, namely locomotives. Yes, did you now that Hunter Biden is a noted locomotive expert? You don't believe me? Well, that is how Politico's "Transition Playbook" described him on Friday in "How high speed trains got railroaded in Biden's infrastructure plan."

Gov. Mark Dayton's own transportation advisory panel called Friday for a higher state gas tax and other fees and taxes to raise at least $50 billion more for roads and transit over the coming two decades. The Transportation Finance Advisory Committee's recommendations aim to improve the state's roads and expand transit, including new light rail lines, as a boost to the state's economy. Dayton created the group in January, saying a deteriorating transportation system was hurting economic growth. Dayton spokesman Katharine Tinucci said the governor has yet to review the recommendations. The report comes as the Democratic governor is preparing...

With a lagging economy, high unemployment, and aging transportation systems, Americans debate the best ways to invest in their infrastructure and stimulate economic activity – from high-speed rail and congestion pricing, to cutting pork and tapping private capital. High-speed rail is a big part of the answer During the Great Depression, businesses and governments agreed that transportation modernization was essential to restoring prosperity. The 1930s saw the emergence of the freeway (the first one opening in Los Angeles in 1940) and the airport as important modes of transportation. Together with the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956, these...

Metro, the city of Galveston and a third group are all pushing commuter service conceptsA political turf war has broken out to determine who will bring commuter rail to the Houston area. While actual trains are years in the future, the lobbying and jockeying have begun behind the scenes, spurred by stimulus money and the promise of future federal money for high-speed passenger trains. “If this thing gets built it's going to involve a lot of funding,” said Christof Spieler, a transportation analyst on the board of the Citizens' Transportation Coalition. “Every agency wants to be in charge of that...

John Ciarlillo throws a switch along the Cleveland Works Railway. (Photo by Roadell Hickman) Surge in Freight Business Strains Railroads BY PETER KROUSE Employee John Ciarlillo makes his way between rail cars full of scrap at the Cleveland Works Railway, a short line that serves four companies in the city's industrial valley. Rail congestion and rail car shortages nationwide have prompted greater cooperation between railroads and their customers. (Photo by Roadell Hickman) [Cleveland, OH] -- Shippers across the country have been putting more and more freight on trains as the economics of hauling by rail have become more favorable....