I’ve been off the air for a bit due to computer problems, and while I was AWOL quite a conflict has emerged around the every-six-years reauthorization of the Federal transportaton program.

While Chairman Oberstar was preparing to release his outline for the bill, Secretary LaHood announced that the administration would prefer to extend the current authorizaton for 18 months to re-fund the Highway Trust Fund.

Neither blinked.

Locally, surface transportation subcommittee chair Peter DeFazio was strongly backing his chairman and I suspect this may be a point in his address to City Club of Portland today.

There is also speculation that the timing could affect the possibility of DeFazio running for Governor.

Meanwhile, Streetsblog Capitol Hill is the best place to follow the ongoing saga and analysis of Oberstar’s proposal.