The Bill on the Hill
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ATSSA's 2009 Reauthorization document, "Toward Zero Deaths" |
Click here to visit ATSSA's Grassroots website.
Click here to download the Fact Sheet describing the consequences of allowing expiration of federal surface transportation programs.
Click here to view the H.R. 2847, the new jobs initiative in the House. The House hopes to vote on the legislation this week. In the House version $27.5 billion dollars would go to highways. Stay tuned for further updates. The Senate will not take the measure up until 2010.
Click here to download and read the Fiscal Year 2011 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Budget.
Coalitions Send Letters to Congress
Members of the New Democrat Coalition sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer in support of the bonus depreciation extension (dated May 28, 2010).
The Transportation Construction Coalition (of which ATSSA is a strong member) created this advertisement to highlight the need for transportation investment.
The Government Withholding Relief Coalition sent a letter to President Obama expressing its desire to lift a 3% tax this year.
Transportation-focused climate change coalition sent this letter to Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).
Transportation Construction Coalition letter to Sens. Murray and Bond regarding transportation funding and policies (5-17-10).
A group of transportation stakeholders placed this advertisement in multiple Capitol Hill newspapers and outlets to raise awareness of the effect of climate change legislation on the Highway Trust Fund.
82 National Organizations Urge Congress to Renew Bonus Depreciation (4/1/10).
The Transportation Construction Coalition sent a March 1, 2010 letter to House and Senate Expressing Disappointment in SAFEATEA-LU Lapse. To read the letter, click here.
Government Withholding Tax Relief Coalition sent a letter to Congressional Leadership on 3% Tax Withholding Issue. To read the letter, click here.
Two coalitions that represent organizations and associations – including ATSSA – have sent Congress letters supporting the recently passed House jobs bill. On Wednesday, December 16, the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) sent a letter to Congress express the Coalitions desire to see robust transportation funding in any jobs legislation that passes through Congress. Click here to read the letter.
In addition, ATSSA is a member of the Government Withholding Relief Coalition (GWRC). GWRC submitted a letter to Congress on December 16 stating the Coalition’s support for repealing the 3% tax-withholding law in any jobs legislation being considered. If this provision is not repealed, it will cost companies and governments at all levels significant amounts of money, which will be at the expense of hiring new people and expanding the business, during a time that neither the public nor private sector can handle such needless expenses. Click here to read the Coalition’s letter.
Letter from 41 National Organizations to White House and Congressional Leaders
To view the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 - Committee Print, click here.
To download the authorization documents for the Surface Transportation Blueprint released on June 18, 2009 by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee giving an outline of the draft legislation to come, click on the links below:
The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009
Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 - Consolidation
Senators Send Letter to Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell
On November 17, 2009, Senators Boxer, Inhofe, Dodd, Shelby, Rockefeller, Hutchison, and Baucus sent a letter to Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell asking the leaders to support Senate floor time for a six-month extension to SAFEETA-LU. To read the letter, click here.
Rep. Altmire Gives House Floor Speech in Support of H.R. 3355
On Tuesday evening, October 6, 2009, Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Penn.) took to the floor of the House of Representatives to raise awareness of and champion H.R. 3355, the Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act, which has been endorsed by both ATSSA and AARP. Click here to read Rep. Altmire’s speech in the Congressional Record where he specifically mentions ATSSA.
Congressman Altmire Sends “Dear Colleague” Letter Regarding Older Drivers Safety Act
House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee member Jason Altmire (R-Penn.) sent a letter to his congressional colleagues on August 17, 2009, asking for their support for H.R. 3355, the Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act. Click here to read the updated letter.
ATSSA Chairman Henry Ross Testifies before House Subcommittee
On Thursday, July 16, ATSSA Chairman Henry Ross testified before the House Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight during a hearing “The Upcoming Highway Bill and Ensuring It Meets the Needs of Small Businesses.”
The hearing examined how investing in highway infrastructure benefits local economies and what improvements to America’s surface transportation system are required to meet the needs of entrepreneurs. The Subcommittee heard testimony from several small businesses in the transportation and construction industries.
“You don't have any predictability. Small businesses need to be able to justify investments in people and in equipment and you can't do that if you don't know what the funding is a year out or two years out,” said Henry Ross, chairman of the American Traffic Safety Services Association. “You're going to get everybody real nervous if we just do extensions the way we did on the last reauthorization, and people are not going to be making the long term investment.”
Read the transcript of Chairman Ross's testimony.
Watch the Video Highlights of Chairman Ross's testimony.
See highlights from one of the question and answer sessions which followed the prepared testimony - Chairman Ross is the second respondent in this clip (begins one minute, 15 seconds in).
Status of SAFETEA-LU Funding
Highway Safety Improvement Program (as of 12/31/09)
High Risk Rural Roads (as of 12/31/09)
Railway-Highway Combined (as of 12/31/09)
Safe Routes to School (as of 5/31/09)
Safety is Transportation's Number One Priority
According to a study released by the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) and the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), the human toll of roadway crashes is staggering. The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), a member of TCC and one of the nation’s leading voices on roadway safety, celebrates this groundbreaking study as proof that America must move Toward Zero Deaths on the road.
To read the TTC / PIRE study, visit the Roadway Safety Issues page of ATSSA's Roadway Safety Outreach section of the website by clicking here.
Click here to read a letter from ATSSA President and CEO Roger Wentz to President Obama expressing ATSSA's strong opposition to the idea of an18-month extension of the current transportation authorization (SAFETEA-LU).
To read a June 24, 2009 letter from Democratic members of the House T & I Committee to President Obama expressing their opposition to extend the current transportation safety bill (SAFETEA-LU) for an additional 18 months, click here.
To read a letter dated June 17, 2009 addressed to members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and members of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit urging significant increases in funding for safety improvements on high risk rural roads (HRRR), click here.
ATSSA Correspondence with Government Officials
2009 Stimulus Information Center
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - 12/3/09
To view the chart of ARRA allocated funds as of 10-31-09 (State Rankings), click here.
Click here to download a chart which outlines state-by-state progress on spending through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA or Stimulus) as of October 31, 2009.
Guide Specification for Minimum Retro Levels to Access ARRA Dollars - Click here to download a sample guide spec - sign replacement - to assist members in accessing stimulus funds.
The FHWA, ATSSA and NACE Webinar, entitled "Stimulus Program 101: Making It Work for States and Locals" that was presented at 3:30 p.m. EST Wed., Feb. 25, is available for replay - please click here to view the webinar (Registration is required to view the webinar).
Click here to visit Recovery.Gov, where you will find up-to-date recovery information from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments on how funds are being distributed and used to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Click here to download the latest H.R. 1 State-by-State allocation tables.
Click here to download the H.R. 1 Conference Report Summary.
"Low Cost Local Road Safety Solutions" (source: ATSSA and NACE)
Actions That Can Be Taken to Expedite Economic Recovery Delivery (Important Information on the Stimulus Package from the FHWA (dated February 4, 2009)
Oberstar and DeFazio Send “Dear Colleague” Letter Regarding Highway Trust Fund
House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) and House T&I Subcommittee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) sent a letter to their congressional colleagues on March 18, 2009, expressing their grave concern over the projected status of the Highway Trust Fund. In their opinions, if the Trust Fund situation is not addressed in an adequate fashion, then the Fund will only be able to support approximately $20.5 billion in Fiscal Year 2010, which is one-half the amount of that which is being invested this year. Click here to read the entire congressional letter and a state-by-state breakdown.
ATSSA Advertisements Published in Capitol Hill Newspaper
Since 1955, Roll Call, the "newspaper of Capitol Hill," has been geared towards members of Congress, providing them with a news review and communications platform for Capitol Hill events.
Full-color advertisements urging Congress and President Obama’s team to bring a special focus to roadway infrastructure safety as part of any bill that includes transportation funding considered by the 111th Congress were published. The ad campaign began in December 2008 and will continue through calendar year 2009. To view specific Roll Call ads, click on the publication dates shown below.-
"Toward Zero Deaths" National, State and Local Organizations Endorsers and Supporters
- American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE)
- Split Second
- Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association
- Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association
- International Slurry Surfacing Association
- American Highway Users Endorsement Letter
- Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association
- Citizens for Roadside Safety
- Construction Safety Council
- Fredericksburg Chamber
- Hazlehurst City
- Household Goods Forwarders Association
Other Proposals and Information
House Stimulus Letter dated 1-28-09 from the Transportation Construction Coalition.
To download a compilation of 2008 state-by-state ballot initiatives, click here.
Refocus. Reform. Renew. A New Transportation Approach for America (U.S. Department of Transportation 2008)
Strategic Highway Safety Plans, a state-by-state compilation.
H.R. 7110, the Job Creation and Unemployment Act of 2008
Below are updated tables outlining the state-by-state infrastructure investment funding provided by H.R. 7110, the Job Creation and Unemployment Act of 2008, which passed the House on Sept. 26, 2008.
- Total Infrastructure Investment Funding (by State)
- Highway Infrastructure Funding (by State)
- HR 7110 Highway and Bridge Investment (by State)
- HR 7110 Transit Capital Investment (Urban and Rural - By State)
- HR 7110 Transit Energy Investment (urban and Rural - By State)
ATSSA Testimony
ATSSA Provides Testimony to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
The American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) provided testimony to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the United States House of Representatives as it examined how infrastructure investment contributes to job creation and economic recovery. To read the full statement, click here.
