Weekly Trek: September 25, 2015

Weekly Trek

September 25, 2015

Top Political News

• John Boehner says fears of ‘leadership turmoil’ contributed to resignation. Wall Street Journal
• McCarthy seen as favorite to succeed Boehner. The Hill
• John Boehner’s resignation means there won’t be a government shutdown — yet. Washington Post
• Obama and Xi Jinping of China agree to steps on cybertheft. New York Times
• A political Pope Francis piques a spellbound Congress. The Hill

Transportation

• FAA extension dropped from new Senate funding bill. The Hill
• Bridge report highlights Oregon’s shaky infrastructure. Statesman Journal
• Subsidized Gulf airlines’ impact on U.S. cities and our airline network. Huffington Post
• Spectrum gap slows railroads racing to meet positive train control deadline. BNA
• Obama administration to speed up infrastructure project decisions. Progressive Railroading
• AAAE questions airline opposition to PFCs as bag fee collections hit record. Aviation News
• Airports blame airlines for aviation-funding standstill. The Hill

Energy & Natural Resources

• EPA puts $12.3M in program to help cities cleanup contaminated sites. The Hill
• Nestle critics fight bottled water with ballot initiative. The Dalles Chronicle
• Is Portland’s mayor green enough for Portland? Politico
• Senate Democrats offer climate change bill aimed not at success now, but in 2016. New York Times
• Decision not to list sage grouse as endangered is called life saver by some, death knell by others. Washington Post
• Volkswagen’s falsification of pollution tests opens the door to a very different car industry. The Economist

Labor

• ‘Cadillac’ tax may mean deductibles on some UAW members. Detroit Free Press
• The Cadillac tax is still probably raising deductibles. Tax Foundation
• The great divide in workplace benefits. New York Times
• Labor tap-dances on Walker’s political grave. Politico
• Politicians push to sway fiduciary regulation as rulemaking nears end. Wall Street Journal

Taxation, Trade, & Defense

• Investor-immigrant program could face limbo status after Sept. 30. Seattle Times
• Carter says US wants deal with Russia on Syria, Ukraine. com
• The Department of Defense is bracing for the possibility of operating under an emergency spending measure for the next fiscal year, something it has never before been asked to do. The Hill
• North American steel groups call for strong TPP rule of origin. Trade and Industry