ATSSA – The Past 90-Days

We at ATSSA look forward to working hard for you in 2009. Before moving forward we wanted to give you a quick glimpse of just a few of the important actions we took on your behalf at the end of 2008. We want to demonstrate where your membership dollars are going in these tough economic times.

·105 ATSSA members as well as ATSSA staff met with Members of Congress to promote our “Toward Zero Deaths” reauthorization policy and asked them to include our 40 recommendations in the Transportation Reauthorization Bill in 2009.

·Staff conducted numerous meetings on Capitol Hill to ask Congress to focus stimulus dollars on transportation safety infrastructure.

·Ran a full page color ad in Roll Call, “the” newspaper on the Hill, focusing on the need to invest dollars in roadway safety infrastructure in upcoming stimulus packages.  Click here to view ad.

·Through the TCC (Transportation Construction Coalition – ATSSA is an active member) ran an ad in Roll Call and Congress Daily that included ATSSA and highlighted the need to focus stimulus dollars on transportation infrastructure.
·Sent a letter to key Congressional members and to President-Elect Obama’s transition team highlighting the value of investing in transportation safety infrastructure when considering the next stimulus package.

·Secured a meeting with President-Elect Obama’s transportation transition team in December. Discussions primarily focused on the “double dividend” that comes from investing in infrastructure safety.

·Conducting meetings with Members of Congress to ask them to increase funding for our High Risk Rural Roads.
·Sent out several editions of our new Roadway Safety Advocate giving you timely legislative updates.
·Worked with the AARP to develop a partnership to advance ATSSA’s efforts on focusing reauthorization dollars towards improving roadways for older drivers.

·Issued a press release from ATSSA commending the selection of Congressman Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) as the Secretary of the U.S.-DOT.

·Testified before the Oklahoma Transportation Subcommittee during the Interim Study on Transportation and Highway Safety Devices in October. ATSSA Chairman Henry Ross focused on the benefits of infrastructure safety.

This is just a glimpse of what ATSSA is doing for you day-in and day-out on Capitol Hill. We are always looking for new opportunities for you and new avenues to advance your business.  If you have any questions regarding our efforts on “The Hill”, contact ATSSA’s Government Relations Director Laura Dennis, LDennis@ATSSA.com or by telephone at (202) 454-5246. ATSSA looks forward to working hard for you in 2009!!! 

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Releases Draft Stimulus Package

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee released a draft outline of their stimulus package entitled the, “Rebuild America” proposal. It is important to note this is the first draft; amounts and the structure of the plan are subject to change.
Below is an outline of the sections of the stimulus that could directly impact ATSSA members:

$85 BILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
The Rebuild America proposal provides $85 billion infrastructure investment to enhance the safety, security, and efficiency of our highway, transit, rail, aviation, environmental, inland waterways, public buildings, and maritime transportation infrastructure. This includes:
Highways and Bridges: $30.25 billion
Including Federal-aid Highway Formula ($30 billion) and
National Park Road Funding ($250 million)

•The proposal requires these funds to be invested in ready-to-go projects. Priority shall be given to projects that can award contracts within 90 days of enactment.

•The proposal requires States, cities, public transit agencies, and other recipients of formula funds to certify State and local maintenance of effort and equitable distribution of funding to ensure that States, cities, public transit agencies, and other recipients continue their current investment levels and distribute funds equitably throughout the State and metropolitan areas.

•Recipients must submit a plan of projects for projects to be awarded contracts within 90 days, one year, and two years.

•The proposal ensures transparency and accountability by including regular reporting requirements to track the use of the funds, State investments, and the estimated number of jobs created or sustained.

•The Federal agencies administering these funds will provide periodic reports to Congress and the Economic Recovery Advisory Board (announced by President-elect Obama on November 26, 2008) on the amount of Federal funds apportioned, obligated, and outlayed; the status of bids, contracts, and construction; and the number of jobs created or sustained with the Federal investments.

•The proposal requires six periodic reports: 30 days, 60 days, 120 days, 180 days, one year, and three years after the date of enactment.

•Within seven days of the date of enactment, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency will distribute formula funds to States, cities, and public transit agencies.

•State DOTs can immediately put out bids (typically for a period of 30 days) for ready-to-go projects.

•After receipt of the bids and contract award, work can begin on the project within an additional 30 days.

•The goal is to have the Rebuild America proposal “put shovels in the ground” within 90 days of enactment.

•The proposed $85 billion of Federal infrastructure investment will create or sustain more than 2.4 million jobs and $439 billion of economic activity.

•Each $1 billion of Federal funds invested in infrastructure creates or sustains approximately 34,779 jobs and $6.2 billion in economic activity.
RAIL – $5 BILLION – Infrastructure Needs
In 2007, the Passenger Rail Working Group of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission reported that the total capital cost for re-establishing the national intercity passenger rail network between now and 2050 is $357.2 billion, or an annualized cost of $8.1 billion.

•The States for Passenger Rail Coalition has identified $1.4 billion in ready-to-go intercity passenger rail capital projects, including corridor development projects, station and terminal improvements, improvements to track, siding, signal, and grade crossings, and the purchase of new equipment.
The timing for the stimulus package is still fluid. It is expected that nothing will move forward until late January at the earliest. ATSSA will keep you up-to-date on any new developments on the stimulus package.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Director of Government Relations Laura Dennis at LDennis@ATSSA.com or call (202) 454-5246.

National Press Release on Selection of U.S.-DOT Secretary

The following ATSSA press release was sent to National Media on Friday, Dec. 19.

http://www.atssa.com/galleries/default-file/ATSSA%20LA%20HOOD%20Press%20Release%2012-19-08.pdf