With local events across the country, Stand Up for Transportation Day united the voices of hundreds of organizations, along with local, state and federal elected officials; business and transportation leaders; public transit advocates and transit riders, who called on Congress to take action and pass a long-term surface transportation bill before federal funding expires on May 31.
Marnie O'Brien Primmer, chair of the National Alliance for Public Transportation Advocates, advocates for a long-term, sustainable surface transportation bill. She says the negative impact on public transportation and the quality of life for people across the country could be disastrous. On April 9, supporters around the nation are uniting in their communities and online to send a powerful message to Congress: It’s time to provide long-term investment for America’s transportation network.
Making two stops in Tallahassee, Fla., the GROW AMERICA Express will include visits to universities, manufacturers, bridges, freight facilities and highway projects in an effort to raise awareness of America’s infrastructure deficit.
During a visit to Kawasaki's Lincoln, Neb. plant, the secretary of transportation said Congress' hesitation to pass the $302 billion, four-year transportation reauthorization proposal creates economic uncertainty for millions of Americans who rely on public transportation.
The tentative agreement establishes federal highway, transit and highway safety policy and keeps programs at current funding levels through the end of fiscal year 2014. If a majority of House and Senate conferees approve the conference report, both bodies are then expected to take up the measure before the end of the week, prior to the expiration of the current extension of transportation funding on June 30th.
A Sr. Democratic aide also reported that both the House and Senate are close to an overall deal but have not yet wrapped everything up.
The measure must pass the Senate before March 31 to avoid the lapse of federal highway programs. Both chambers are scheduled to wrap up legislative business this week before taking a spring recess.
Public transit systems, businesses, employees, riders and advocates are joining together at rallies around the country on Sept. 20 with a message for Congress: ‘Don’t X Out Public Transit.’ Meanwhile, APTA will hold a panel discussion conference call Sept. 20 with transit leaders and advocates to discuss the impact of the cuts and the national campaign.
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