ATSSA’s 2009 Legislative Visits
Wednesday, April 22 – Thursday, April 23
Legislative Briefing (April 22, 2009):
Crystal City Marriott
1999 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, Virginia 22202
Phone: (703) 413-5500
Fax: (703) 413-0192
On the Web: Marriott.com/Hotels/Travel/Wascc-Crystal-City-Marriott-at-Reagan-National-Airport
Capitol Hill Visits (April 23, 2009):
Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill
525 New Jersey Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 628-2100
Fax: (202) 879-7918
On the Web: WashingtonCourtHotel.com
Be an early bird! Start planning now to be there!
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Dear ATSSA Members:
Please join your ATSSA colleagues in Washington, D.C. on April 22-23, 2009 for next year's ATSSA Legislative Leadership Conference. Here are some of the issues ATSSA members will be bringing to their elected officials: |
- Increase safety funding to 10 percent of highway funds, which could double or triple the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).
- Set a deadline for publication of a Final Rule on retroreflectivity for pavement markings.
- Update outdated roadway safety hardware.
- Establish pilot programs to increase the use of ITS in roadway work zones.
Each year, ATSSA members converge on Capitol Hill to visit face-to-face with their elected officials to inform them of who we are, what we do, and what we are trying to achieve both now and in the future. ATSSA’s core purpose is "To Advance Roadway Safety," and we’re doing just that. ATSSA has countless roadway safety partners on Capitol Hill and has made a significant impact on the key decisions that our elected officials have made, but there is still much more to do. You can be part of your association’s efforts by planning for a September trip to Washington, D.C. today.
During the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, ATSSA led the effort to create the $5.06 billion HSIP within the bill.
This multi-billion dollar program has provided new business opportunities for ATSSA members. With SAFETEA-LU set to expire in September 2009, the U.S. Congress and the Federal Highway Administration have already begun work to create the next surface transportation reauthorization law. The resulting legislative initiatives created by the U.S. Congress and FHWA over the next year will have a huge impact on our industry over the next six years.
Now that ATSSA has established HSIP as a new “Core Safety Program” within SAFETEA-LU, ATSSA must both defend the program’s current funding level, and must also work hard to increase its share of federal-aid highway-funding. In order to protect and expand this program, ATSSA must have full support from members of Congress who understand the importance of roadway safety. ATSSA cannot secure the help of Congress without your help.
Our association’s reauthorization policy is titled, “Toward Zero Deaths,” and if you are not familiar with the document, I encourage you to view the PDF version of it available on ATSSA.com. As you may already know, our policy has received Congressional support from Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and several others.
During ATSSA’s Annual Convention and Traffic Expo 2008, Congressman Oberstar, who serves as Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, stated that our policy recommendations will be strongly considered as the next transportation bill is developed. Your participation as a “Legislative Visitor” will help ATSSA secure the additional support from other members of Congress.
Please join fellow ATSSA members in April by attending the Leadership Program, Legislative Training, and then take ATSSA's lifesaving message to your elected officials on Capitol Hill. You may register for this event at this site, or if you have immediate questions, please contact Roger Wentz at (540) 368-1701, ext. 120, or by e-mail rogerw@atssa.com.
Sincerely,
Henry A. Ross
ATSSA Chairman
During the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, ATSSA led the effort to create the $5.06 billion HSIP within the bill.
This multi-billion dollar program has provided new business opportunities for ATSSA members. With SAFETEA-LU set to expire in September 2009, the U.S. Congress and the Federal Highway Administration have already begun work to create the next surface transportation reauthorization law. The resulting legislative initiatives created by the U.S. Congress and FHWA over the next year will have a huge impact on our industry over the next six years.
Now that ATSSA has established HSIP as a new “Core Safety Program” within SAFETEA-LU, ATSSA must both defend the program’s current funding level, and must also work hard to increase its share of federal-aid highway-funding. In order to protect and expand this program, ATSSA must have full support from members of Congress who understand the importance of roadway safety. ATSSA cannot secure the help of Congress without your help.
Our association’s reauthorization policy is titled, “Toward Zero Deaths,” and if you are not familiar with the document, I encourage you to view the PDF version of it available on ATSSA.com. As you may already know, our policy has received Congressional support from Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and several others.
During ATSSA’s Annual Convention and Traffic Expo 2008, Congressman Oberstar, who serves as Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, stated that our policy recommendations will be strongly considered as the next transportation bill is developed. Your participation as a “Legislative Visitor” will help ATSSA secure the additional support from other members of Congress.
Please join fellow ATSSA members in April by attending the Leadership Program, Legislative Training, and then take ATSSA's lifesaving message to your elected officials on Capitol Hill. You may register for this event at this site, or if you have immediate questions, please contact Roger Wentz at (540) 368-1701, ext. 120, or by e-mail rogerw@atssa.com.
Sincerely,
Henry A. Ross
ATSSA Chairman