Oberstar Re-Elected, Enthusiastic About Future
Congressman Jim Oberstar had to go back more than 32 years when Jimmy Carter was elected president to recall the last time he was this optimistic about the future of the country. “This is a transformational moment,” he said. “There are so many things we can do now.” Oberstar’s re-election to Congress... » Read more
Duluth News Tribune Endorses Oberstar for Reelection
Jim Oberstar’s giddiness defied a man of his age (74) and political experience (34 years as a U.S. congressman from Minnesota). But who in U.S. House District 8 — which stretches from International Falls in the far north to Isanti at around mid-state — could blame the Chisholm native? If votes fall the way Oberstar suspects they will Tuesday, the already powerful representative’s influence could be boosted further by being able to work with a House, Senate and White House all dominated by his Democratic Party. "I'm so excited... » Read more
ECM Editorial Board Endorses Oberstar
A quarter billion dollars in 48 hours. That’s the most compelling reason among many to re-elect 8th District DFL Congressman James Oberstar to an unprecedented 18th term. When the I-35W bridge collapsed Aug. 1, 2007, it took Oberstar just two days to navigate the labyrinth of Congress and produce $250 million to begin rebuilding the bridge. Thirteen months later, the project was done. As the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, that is the kind of clout that Oberstar has....Oberstar’s knowledge of transportation issues is an asset unsurpassed in the Congress.... » Read more
Oberstar Announces Grant for Duluth to Minneapolis Line
A federal grant will move the Duluth to Minneapolis high-speed passenger rail line closer to completion. On Tuesday, Eighth District Congressman Jim Oberstar announced that the project has been awarded $1.1 million from the Federal Railroad Administration. The funding will be used to complete an environmental impact statement for the project. "Work on the Northern Lights Express is moving along at full throttle,” said Oberstar. “This is the kind of project ... » Read more
Oberstar and Franken Discuss Job Creation, Transportation Investment
Congressman Jim Oberstar and DFL-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken ended a two day swing through Northeastern Minnesota this past Monday with a press event at Duluth’s Labor Picnic. The pair spent Sunday and Monday celebrating Labor Day and talking transportation and infrastructure investment with Labor supporters. Franken also unveiled a $3 billion infrastructure initiative he says will create jobs, grow our economy, and make badly-needed investments in infrastructure... » Read more
House Passes Oberstar Bridge Bill
Late last month, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed Congressman Oberstar’s National Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008 (H.R. 3339), a bill that mandates state and federal transportation agencies work together to prioritize replacing bridges that pose the most immediate risk to the traveling public. he bill instructs the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to require that states certify that there are no structurally deficient bridges in their interstate system before they can shift federal bridge funds to other programs. A recent study ... » Read more
