Autopia has a nice summary of the proposed Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 (STAA?).  Full text here.  Some interesting highlights:

• $50 billion for 11 high-speed rail corridors
• “Office of Livability” to promote walking and biking
• A National Infrastructure Bank to help finance transportation projects
• More emphasis on reducing carbon emissions

The bill will cost $500 billion and supposedly create or sustain 6 million jobs.  Autopia says there is no discussion of where the money will come from, although increasing the gas tax is an option.  The current gas tax would only generate $236 billion over the life of the bill.  I say they should reexamine LaHood’s idea of a mileage tax.