Alliance Federal Policy & Legislation Call
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Updates since Wednesday’s Call
1.
6 Month extension of SAFETEA LU is expected to be voted on by the Senate early next week.
This should be a no policy extension.
2.
Senate Climate bill due out as soon as Friday afternoon- likely early next week. This version will include funding allocations. The Environment and Public Works Committee is expected to
‘mark up’ the bill in early November (suggest and debate language changes). This will be an important step to weigh in on and we will supply action items soon.
3.
T4A will be holding a call on Thursday, October 29, at 3PM ET, to offer more insight into the
Pedestrian Safety Report and brief organizations interested in helping with the release. If you plan to attend this call, please RSVP to jeremy@peoplepoweredmovement.org and he will send you all of the details.
Notes from the call
I.
Federal Transportation Bill (FTB) and extensions-Caron, America Bikes a.
On September 30 th
, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2009 was passed to extend SAFETEA LU through October.
Read about the extension more: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2009/09/30/senate-passes-onemonth-extension-of-transport-law/ i.
There is potential for an additional extension of 3, 6, or more months
1.
Read more about this debate: http://t4america.org/blog/2009/10/01/faq-safetea-lu-expires-transportationfunds-to-be-rescinded/ ii.
There is a rumor of a 2 nd
Stimulus Bill to be a major political focus after the completion of the current Healthcare Bill
1.
A potential upcoming Dec. scramble might be a result
2.
An appropriations bill would be the focus of the Transportation
Subcommittee chaired by Representative James L. Oberstar (D-MN)
3.
There is a possibility of adding a policy option to help further the concept of multi-modal transportation design standards
II.
Rescissions-Caron, America Bikes a.
The Federal Highway Administration released its final state numbers last week-
Transportation Enhancements (TE) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
(CMAQ) both took a disproportional hit,
(As Background) Based on current laws rescissions should be spread proportionally across all programs, and should only come from unobligated funds. However many states had over-obligated from other programs and under obligated from others. b.
Read more about what a rescission is at:http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2009/09/whoknew-giving-back-was-so-difficult/
Or http://t4america.org/blog/2009/10/05/faq-what-are-rescissions-will-my-state-losetransportation-money/ - c.
For specifics on what money will be rescinded from your state see the attached file. d.
To get the full picture of Transportation Enhancements in your state go to www.enhancements.org
. The Enhancements Clearinghouse shows apportioned, obligated and rescinded funds for each state over several years.
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Alliance Federal Policy & Legislation Call
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 e.
A positive note: Despite the rescissions, Fiscal Year 2009 was a record year for spending on biking and walking transportation, double of what was spent last year.
However, we still need to keep up the fight!
III.
Climate Bill-Caron, America Bikes and Will, Transportation for America a.
The Clean Energy & Jobs American Power Act more commonly referred to as the
Climate bill includes: i.
The following bonuses towards non-motorized transportation:
1.
Good transportation policy
2.
Supportive transportation goals
3.
Funding for planning
4.
Funding to support transportation construction to enact the planning-a common missing link ii.
Areas to pay attention to:
1.
The House bill allocated up to one percent of revenue for transportation.
2.
We had been told that the Senate bill would include 1.5-2 percent.
However recent lobbying efforts, and negotiations in the Senate by our champions have raised that to 2.5- 3 percent. (Although this sounds small it’s a very important increase and represents significant effort and negotiations. ).
3.
Watch for the Senate to release a new version of the bill with allocations.
Once we see that bill it will be time for another advocacy push. funding iii.
Watch the Transportation for America website for more info/updates and a timeline of projected bill development
IV.
Safe Routes to School-Margo, Safe Routes to School National Partnership a.
In the Senate, there is S. 1156, the Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization bill.
For a brief overview of this bill visit: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/27892/253456 b.
This bill has 15 co-sponsors, including 3 republicans, and is still looking for more. To learn how to join in, visit: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/national c.
On the House side, Chairman Oberstar’s Surface Transportation Authorization Act
(STAA) includes several provisions to strengthen SRTS, including reducing regulatory burden and strengthening evaluation. d.
Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR) will be introducing a bill to expand Safe Routes to
School to high schools; currently only grades K-8 are eligible. The Partnership will be supporting both the Blumenauer bill and the SRTS changes in the Oberstar STAA bill.
V.
The Safe Routes to School Partnership’s State Network Project received a two-year expansion and is currently accepting applications for 15 to 20 states during 2010 and 2011 for a part-time State Network Manager. a.
Applications are due in November, visit this website for more information: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/4373
VI.
Complete Streets-Will, Transportation for America a.
Please continue to ask your member of Congress and Senators to support the Complete
Streets arebills:
House bill-H.R. 1443: Complete Streets Act of 2009 with 38 co-sponsors track at: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1443
Senate bill-S. 584: Complete Streets Act of 2009 with 10 co-sponsors track at:
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Alliance Federal Policy & Legislation Call
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-584 b.
Complete Streets requirements were included in the Surface Transportation
Authorization Act (STAA)but under the term “Comprehensive Street Design”.
America Bikes supports the Complete Streets/ Comprehensive Street Design requirements in the STAA bill, However we are continuing to build support for the stand alone bills to build broad based support and to push for required state policies. c.
The common argument given against these bills is that there is a major cost increase associated with creating complete streets; in fact, the cost is minor in creating multimodel transportation routes. i.
Please help us in this fight-Upload any photos meeting the criteria below to the
People Powered Photo Contest and send a copy to will.handsfield@t4america.org
. We need photos of:
1.
Incomplete streets, particularly illustrations of non-motorized individuals struggling e.g. people walking on highways
2.
Before and after photos highlighting complete streets transformations
3.
Complete Streets being used by visually impaired, elderly, and members of the disabled community
VII.
Upcoming release of the Dangerous by Design Report-Will, Transportation for America a.
Released Date: November 10 th b.
Includes the creation of a Pedestrian Danger Index to rate areas c.
Looking for partners to assist with the local release i.
Sources to send information to ii.
Individuals who would like to be a contact source for local communications iii.
Organizations who would like to help T4A engage local media contacts. d.
If your organization or you have the interest in working with T4A on this initiative, please contact jeremy@PeoplePoweredMovement.org
. If you have already expressed interest in helping to Jeremy, it is not necessary to tell him this again. e.
T4A will be holding a call on Thursday, October 29, at 3PM ET, to offer more insight into the report and brief organizations interested in helping with the release. If you plan to attend this call, please also RSVP to jeremy@peoplepoweredmovement.org
and he will send you all of the details.
VIII.
Q & A a.
Darla, FL-Why are rescissions so high? i.
States underobligate their TE and CMAQ funds, and over obligate other funds.spent ii.
Many agencies and departments do not spend transportation funds based on a multi-modal transportation model iii.
Check your state visit: http://www.enhancements.org/Stateprofile.asp
1.
Click on State Profiles
2.
Find your state and click submit
3.
A detailed page will appear with graphs, charts, and textual descriptions b.
Patty, St. Louis; Sean, OR; Darla, FL i.
Identifying problems with states with high rescissions but have locally unfunded projects.
1.
Pushing for the need to direct funding directly to the local level c.
Robby, WI
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Alliance Federal Policy & Legislation Call
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 i.
A recent Complete Streets bill passes ii.
Wisconsin has unanimously larger road shoulders. Common reasons that others can use:
1.
Increases longevity of the road
2.
Safety for drivers-an alternative around obstacles
3.
Area for snow removal
4.
Needed for farm equipment d.
Mark, CA i.
Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) is looking for vehicles to attach H.R. 3271: Green
Routes to Work Act for successful passage. ii.
To track this bill or learn more visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-3271
IX.
American Consumer survey released showing significant increases in bicycle commuting.
Learn more at:http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2009/10/bicycle-commuting-trends-2000-to-
2008/ a.
America Bikes is working on a fact sheet that should be available on our website in early November.
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