House appropriators recently approved a $124.6 billion bill to fund transportation and housing programs in 2011. The bill if passed will provide funding for Amtrak, railroad safety programs, high speed passenger rail and money for public transportation systems across the country. Some key highlights include: Amtrak: $1.77 billion to make capital investments including improvements to
The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee approved a draft measure that would require the Transportation Department to create and implement a plan to improve the safety of transit systems that receive federal funding. Stronger safety measures have been more frequently discussed after recent transportation disasters, such as the 2009 Washington Metro train crash
The Senate has confirmed a number of Administration appointments recently. The TTD released a statement about each confirmation. Jeffrey Moreland, Anthony Coscia and Albert DiClemente have been confirmed as Amtrak Board members for the remainder of the term expiring July 26, 2011. Two nominees were confirmed to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Mark Rosekind,
The Transportation for America Coalition, which includes TCU/IAM, sent a letter to Senate majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) asking him to lend his leadership and pass the Transportation Preservation Act. This infusion of $2 billion in transit operating funding will preserve service for the millions of Americans who rely on transit every day, as well
The Transportation Trades Department of the AFL/CIO sent a letter to every Senator requesting them to vote no on the resolution of disapproval for the NMB voting rule change, introduced by Senator Isakson (R-GA). The letter states, “On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), I urge you to vote against Senator Isakson’s resolution
TCU President Bob Scardelletti has weighed in on pending Senate energy legislation, cosponsored by Sens. John Kerry and Joe Lieberman. In a letter to the two Senate sponsors of the American Power Act, President Scardelletti criticized the bill’s aggressive timetable for shutting down coal plants. “This aggressive policy will have severe negative consequences for the
An emergency transit funding bill introduced May 25th by Senator Chris Dodd (D CT) and co-sponsored by Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D OH) Richard Durbin (D IL), Kristen Gillibrand (D NY), Jack Reed (D RI) and Charles Schumer (D NY) could bring $2 billion to public transit systems
In a letter dated March 24, 2010, the leaders of all rail labor unions, including TCU President Bob Scardelletti, strongly urged the White House to renominate current Labor Member of the Railroad Retirement Board Butch Speakman to another term. Brother Speakman’s term was up last year. He continues to serve as Labor Member until renominated
Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) recently blocked key legislation that would have extended several critical priorities for middle class families. That legislation covered tax credits for COBRA health coverage, unemployment insurance for 400,000 people, as well as the short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund. The Fund supports all surface transportation programs for the nation –
