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New Safe Routes to School Senate Bill Sets Stage for Next Federal Transportation Bill
On May 21, 2009, Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Richard Burr (R-NC) , Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Susan Collins (R-ME) joined together to introduce the Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization Act (S. 1156). The new Safe Routes to School bill proposes to build on successes around the country and strengthen and expand the federal Safe Routes to School program. We need assistance from all Safe Routes to School supporters and advocates to ensure that this legislation is ultimately included in the next transportation bill which is up for reauthorization this year. Please follow the links below to learn more and take action.

• For Individuals: Take Action and Contact your Senators
• For Organizations: Write a Letter to your Senators (.doc)
• Current Senate Supporters
• List of Supporting Organizations
• Press release from the Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• Press release from the Senate bill sponsors
• Summary of the legislation
• Full text of the legislation
• Safe Routes to School National Partnership’s reauthorization recommendations

House Transportation Bill and Blumenauer Bill Support Safe Routes to School
On June 24, 2009, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit unanimously approved its draft of the transportation bill, called the Surface Transportation Authorization Act. Chairman Oberstar included a number of provisions to strengthen Safe Routes to School. In addition, in November, Rep. Blumenauer introduced H.R. 4021 to expand Safe Routes to School to high schools. Neither the Surface Transportation Authorization Act nor the Blumenauer bill address funding levels at this point. Please contact your Representative to express support for Chairman Oberstar’s provisions and H.R. 4021.  We provided sample text for you to use in your email here.

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Summing up the past two years and looking ahead

December 14, 2010
Safe Routes to School gained a lot of supporters and momentum in the past two years.

All pieces of legislation must be re-introduced in the new Congress. We will be working hard in the 112th Congress to ensure strong support for Safe Routes to School with the goal of accomplishing our legislative recommendations.

Sign up for meetings with Members of Congress to support Safe Routes to School

December 13, 2010
Do you want to help protect and sustain Safe Routes to School funding? If so, please sign up to participate in a meeting with a Member of Congress in your home district. Just fill out some basic information at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NX6T8MW so we know how to contact you and which Congressional district you live in. This is your opportunity to make sure your U.S. Representative knows why Safe Routes to School is important. Read more

Congress wraps up and plans for next year

December 8, 2010
During November and December, Congressional leaders have been working to finish remaining business for this year and to lock in the leaders for next year’s session. It looks likely that before adjourning, Congress will take up a six-month extension to the surface transportation bill, which would allow Congress time to work on a new authorization bill.

While final decisions have not yet been made on Committee leaders, it is expected that Rep. Mica (R-FL) and Rep. Rahall (D-WV) will be tapped as the Chair and Ranking member, respectively, for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. A lead transportation staffer for likely Chair Rep. Mica has already started floating initial ideas for the next transportation bill and has indicated that gas tax increases are off the table, which will require significant cuts in highway and transit programs. Approximately $7-8 billion would need to be cut from highway spending, and according to the staffer, programs that require states to fund bicycle and pedestrian improvements could be on the chopping block. Remember that whatever votes take place, efforts to cut programs would need to get through both the Senate and the Administration.

Meanwhile, we are continuing to meet with Congressional supporters to gather information, discuss strategies and solidify champions to protect and strengthen Safe Routes to School. Advocates should be prepared to help defend programs like Safe Routes to School in the next Congress. We will be alerting you as to when and how your help is needed.

National Partnership joins Equity Caucus to alleviate transportation disparities

December 8, 2010
PolicyLink and Transportation for America have joined together to launch a new Equity Caucus. The purpose of the caucus is to call attention to the millions of low-income people that live in communities where quality transportation options are unaffordable, unreliable or nonexistent. The Equity Caucus is dedicated to advancing transportation policy that provides economic and social equity. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership joined the Equity Caucus because we share their commitment to the principles that all people deserve access to affordable transportation that promotes healthy, safe and inclusive communities.

Election results are in; impact on transportation bill uncertain

November 10, 2010
Last week’s elections are resulting in many changes in Congress, with Republicans taking control of the House and the Democrats retaining control of the Senate, although with smaller margins. Key changes include:

  • Long-time Safe Routes to School champion Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, lost his House seat in a close re-election.
  • There will be new leadership at the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. It is expected that the Chairmanship will go to Rep. Mica (R-FL) and that the top Democratic “Ranking Member” slot will go to Rep. Rahall (D-WV). Rep. Mica has already indicated he will work hard to pass a robust, long-term transportation bill.
  • It is expected that Chairman Boxer (D-CA) and Ranking Member Inhofe (R-OK) will retain their leadership of the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Specific to Safe Routes to School, it is even more important to convey the economic, safety and health benefits of Safe Routes to School and the positive results it is having throughout Congressional districts in all 50 states. Fortunately, Safe Routes to School does have bipartisan support, and several House Republicans attended Safe Routes to School events in their districts this fall. It is helpful to remember that the Safe Routes to School program was originally created and funded in 2005 when Republicans were in the majority in both the House and Senate, and had the Presidency. Overall, it is important that Safe Routes to School supporters keep producing results and sharing local successes with their Members of Congress. We will continue to keep you informed and provide further direction as the outlook for federal transportation policy becomes clearer.

State networks host policy maker educational visits

November 10, 2010
In September and October, our State Network Project organizers planned and participated in walk and bike to school promotional events. These celebrations were coordinated by local teams and were attended by thousands of kids and parents, school staff, local and state elected officials, network partners and most notably, Congressional members and US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. Examples of the events include:

  • Congressman John Mica (R-FL) remarked upon the safety benefits of Safe Routes to School at an event at Westside Elementary School in Daytona Beach, FL.
  • Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo recognized the participation of Kentucky schools in International Walk to School Day and the link between physical activity and health.
  • US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood walked with students at East Silver Spring Elementary School in Maryland, reaffirming his support for Safe Routes to School.
  • Congressman John Duncan (R-TN) walked with families to Beaumont Elementary School in Knoxville, TN and indicated he was pleased to see Safe Routes to School in action.
  • Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) spoke to the press about the health benefits of Safe Routes to School at an event at Omro Middle School in Omro, WI.

States on a roll in obligating Safe Routes to School funds

November 10, 2010
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership’s new "State of the States" shows that in the third quarter of 2010, state Departments of Transportation (DOT) awarded $15 million in funds and obligated nearly $41 million. This quarter had the most funds obligated since we have been tracking the program. The amount of funds obligated each quarter has been increasing steadily all year, demonstrating that states are focusing on getting projects built and implemented. Take a look at the chart and see how your state DOT is doing. If your state is below the national average, we encourage you to contact your state DOT to ask about a plan for increasing obligation rates for SRTS.

Send a heartfelt thanks to Congressman Oberstar

November 3, 2010
As you have probably heard, Congressman James L. Oberstar (D-MN) lost his House seat in a close electoral race. Rep. Oberstar authored the original Safe Routes to school legislation that created the national program in all 50 states and, as Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, had proposed strengthening Safe Routes to School in the next transportation bill. The National Partnership sent a letter of thanks to Congressman Oberstar. We encourage Safe Routes to School supporters across the country to take a few moments to send an e-mail or letter to Congressman Oberstar at jim.oberstar@mail.house.gov to thank him for his legacy of creating the Safe Routes to School program.

Transportation on hold till later this fall
October 7, 2010
Congress came back from the August recess for a short three-week legislative session in Washington, DC. Under pressure from Members who wanted to get back to their home districts to campaign, the House and Senate leadership adjourned a week early, on October 1. Over the next six weeks, Members of Congress will be in campaign mode. Congress has not moved forward on a long-term transportation bill, and the current transportation extension that is funding Safe Routes to School and other surface transportation programs expires on December 31, 2010. So, Members will need to return after the November elections for a “lame duck” session to either extend the transportation bill or move some transportation policy. The elections will have a big impact on what happens with the extension and also with the longer-term transportation bill.

Congress moves forward on several bills of interest
October 1, 2010

  • Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) became the 26th Senator to sign on in support of S. 1156, the Safe Routes to School Program reauthorization bill.
  • Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and Rep. Anh Cao (R-LA) introduced the Fit for L.I.F.E. Act, focused on providing targeted resources to fight childhood obesity in low-income, rural and Native American communities. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership worked with Rep. Fudge’s office to include language that would provide community policing grants to help address personal safety challenges around schools in low-income communities.
  • The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on H.R. 4690, the Livable Communities Act. This is the House version of S. 1619. The Livable Communities Act would create a grant program to support planning and implementation of projects that integrate transportation, housing, land use and economic development concerns. The Senate bill includes language offered by Sen. Merkley that adds school siting as an eligible use of planning funds and also beefs up bicycling and walking language. We are working with our partners to add similar language to the House bill as well.

Congress returns to DC in mid-September
September 9, 2010
Congress has been in recess for most of the past month, but will be returning to Washington, DC the week of September 13, 2010. There is likely to be a flurry of activity in the subsequent few weeks as Members of Congress try to move several pending bills before adjourning in early October. Given the very limited time remaining on the legislative calendar, we are now hearing that it is unlikely that the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) will release a draft transportation bill in September. Instead, Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is expected to release a series of principles or white papers describing her intended approach towards a transportation bill. As the current transportation extension expires on December 31, 2010, Congress must pass some form of extension or transportation bill before the end of the year.

Federal Officials Walk to School in DC
August 24, 2010
Maury Elementary in Washington, DC hosted a great walk and bicycle to school event on August 24, 2010. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez participated in an extremely large walking school bus, with dozens and dozens of children and parents turning out in a local park to start the walk and bicycle to school. Both Secretary Duncan and Administrator Mendez spoke about the importance of the federal Safe Routes to School program and the Let’s Move campaign in getting more kids physically active. Local DC leaders Mayor Adrian Fenty, Chancellor Michelle Rhee and Councilman Tommy Wells (who serves as co-chair of the DC Safe Routes to School Network) also attended and spoke about how important it is that neighborhood schools are safe and attractive options for families.

Senate making progress on two bills
August 11, 2010
Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) has become a cosponsor of S. 1156, the Senate Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization bill, bringing us to 25 Senate cosponsors. Our lead sponsors have all had recent conversations with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) about Safe Routes to School. EPW Committee staff has indicated that a draft will likely be available during September.

In addition, the Senate Banking Committee recently approved S. 1619, The Livable Communities Act. The legislation creates a grant program to support planning and implementation of projects that integrate transportation, housing, and land use. Sen. Merkley (D-OR) successfully offered an amendment to allow recipients of planning groups to assess their school siting policies and school locations for opportunities to locate schools closer to students and increase the rates of walking and bicycling to school. The legislation must still be passed by the full Senate, and considered by the House before it can become law.

States show momentum in spending SRTS funds in second quarter
August 11, 2010
In the second quarter of 2010, states announced another $48 million in Safe Routes to School funds - bringing this to a total of $544 million. That is nearly all of the funds originally authorized for Safe Routes to School for FY2005-2009 ($597 million). On the obligation front, states obligated $31 million in funds in the second quarter of 2010; obligation is a good measure of when a project is close to being built or implemented. This $31 million is 50% greater than last quarter, showing that states are building momentum around obligation. All but 11 states obligated funds during this quarter. States have obligated $293 million, about half of the FY2005-2009 funds and 38% of all currently available funds (through FY2010).

New federal funding sources announced
July 8, 2010
Two recent announcements provide potential funding opportunities for communities:

  • US DOT and HUD are collaborating for the next round of grants for DOT’s TIGER grants and HUD’s Sustainable Community Challenge grants. $75 million is available for planning that encompasses transportation, land use and housing.
  • HHS will be directing $74 million from the Prevention and Public Health Investment Fund, which was created by the health reform bill, to federal, state and community initiatives to address obesity prevention, nutrition, physical activity, HIV prevention and tobacco control. Another $16 million will be used for obesity prevention and fitness as part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative. Details have not yet been announced about how to apply.

SRTS Making Progress in the Senate
July 7, 2010
Senators Bennet (D-CO) and Specter (D-PA) have joined as cosponsors for S. 1156, the Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization bill. We now have a total of 24 Senators publicly supporting strengthening and expanding the federal Safe Routes to School program. Having so many Senators supporting the legislation makes a strong statement to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is currently working on a draft transportation bill, about the value of Safe Routes to School.

Safe Routes to School avoids a House vote to cut it—for now
June 16, 2010
In response to a threat of a potential floor vote to cut Safe Routes to School funding through Rep. Cantor’s (R-VA) YouCut initiative, advocates across the country contacted their Members of Congress to ask them to vote against any cuts to Safe Routes to School. More than 1150 people emailed their Members of Congress in a 24-hour period, plus many others called their Representative directly. Safe Routes to School will not be subject to a floor vote this week as one of the other YouCut options, selling off excess federal property, got the most votes. However, Rep. Cantor’s press secretary has indicated that bicycling and walking will likely be the subject of future YouCut votes, so we must remain vigilant. Thank you so much to all the organizations and individuals that responded to the threat and helped raise awareness of the importance of Safe Routes to School. Update: Safe Routes to School was included a second time on YouCut the week of June 28. Again, it did not receive the most votes and so was not subject to a floor vote to cut it.

Help respond to attack on federal Safe Routes to School funding
June 14, 2010
House Republican Whip Eric Cantor has targeted the federal Safe Routes to School program as wasteful government spending as part of his YouCut program. Rep. Cantor asks people to vote for which of five options they would cut from the federal budget. Republicans then hold a floor vote in the House of Representatives to try and eliminate the program that gets the most votes. This week, the federal Safe Routes to School program is one of Rep. Cantor’s targets. He argues that SRTS duplicates other bicycling and walking programs, and that bicycling and walking infrastructure is a local government responsibility. Please take 3 minutes to send a message to your Member of Congress to ask them to vote against any effort to cut Safe Routes to School.

Senate Committee working on draft transportation bill
June 8, 2010
There is movement again on the next transportation bill. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has started working behind the scenes on drafting a new surface transportation bill. While the bill will likely not be written and released for review until later this summer, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership is continuing to talk with the committee staff about our requests to strengthen and expand the Safe Routes to School program. Over the next month, we will be working with our Senate champions to continue to express their support for Safe Routes to School.

Groups thank DOT, HHS and CDC for their leadership on bicycling and walking
June 8, 2010
Thanks to all the national, state and local partners that joined us on letters thanking our federal agency champions for their leadership on livable, sustainable communities:

Partnership supports Kerry-Lieberman climate bill; seeks additional funding
June 8, 2010
Senators Kerry and Lieberman continue to work with Senate leadership to determine a way forward for their climate bill, the American Power Act. Released in late April, the bill includes strong transportation planning provisions that would require states and large MPOs to write plans for reducing greenhouse gases from the transportation sector. It would also dedicate a maximum of $6.25 billion per year to transportation, divided roughly equally between three categories:  Future rounds of the DOT TIGER multi-modal competitive grants; Funds to support the transportation emissions planning and resulting "green transportation" projects; and the highway trust fund, with a requirement that any funded projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership joined with America Bikes in a letter to Senators Kerry and Lieberman to praise the policy language on transportation, and the significant increase in funding dedicated to clean, green transportation. However, our coalition made the case that additional transportation funding is needed for investments in sustainable transportation options for Americans. We should know more in June or July about next steps for the American Power Act.

Give a “thumbs up” to the Partnership’s comments on the USDOT strategic plan
The US Department of Transportation is circulating a draft strategic plan for comment. The draft plan includes a number of provisions that would help improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and create more livable communities. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has posted comments on the plan commending USDOT for their focus, while also making a number of recommendations for how the plan could be strengthened. Please take a few minutes to visit the website and show your support for Safe Routes to School by hitting the "thumbs up" next to our comments. You do have to create an account in order to register your support, which should only take a minute.

New “State of the States” shows state DOTs award nearly $50 million in new SRTS projects
May 13, 2010
Each quarter, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership issues a “state of the states” report to show how much progress states are making in using their Safe Routes to School funds. Our most recent report covers the first quarter of 2010. The report shows that states have awarded 74% of their available Safe Routes to School funds, meaning that the states have announced more than $466 million in projects for local communities. However, the average obligation rate is just 42%. Obligation means that the state has either spent Safe Routes to School funds or contracted to spend them – it’s a good measure of when the projects are close to being built or implemented. We encourage you to take a look and see how your state is doing compared with the national average.

Obesity Task Force highlights Safe Routes to School in Recommendations
May 11, 2010
The Interagency Childhood Obesity Task Force and First Lady Michelle Obama released a new report and action plan, Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity within a Generation. The plan sets a goal of ending childhood obesity in a generation, and lays out 70 specific recommendations. The Partnership is pleased to report that Part C of the physical activity section of the report (page 78 of the pdf) focuses on the built environment. It includes an entire section discussing how SRTS programs and communities are working to increase levels of walking and bicycling to school throughout America.

CDC Issues Recommendations on Transportation Policy
May 3, 2010
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued Recommendations for Improving Health through Transportation Policy that demonstrates the impact transportation has on health. One of the recommendations is to provide states with tools to help them evaluate and expand investments in Safe Routes to School, Complete Streets, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

Senate climate bill negotiations break down
May 3, 2010
Finally, the climate bill recently had its momentum thrown to a halt. A bipartisan group of Senators—Senators Kerry (D-MA), Lieberman (I-CT), and Graham (R-SC)—had been negotiating compromise language on a climate and energy security bill. One of the bill’s reported provisions would have directed some climate funds to the transportation sector to help fill the funding shortfall that has been holding up the transportation bill. Shortly before the proposal outline was to be released last week, Senator Graham pulled out of the negotiations over concerns that Senate leadership would move an immigration reform bill before the climate bill. Senators Kerry and Lieberman did go ahead and send their draft proposal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for review. The next month will be critical to see if Senator Graham and Senate leadership can resolve their differences and move forward with Senate consideration of a climate bill.

Secretary LaHood Participates in SRTS Event
April 23, 2010
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) participated in a walk to school event at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Indianapolis on April 23. The Partnership’s steering committee vice-chair Andy Clarke of the League of American Bicyclists also led a bike train for students. LaHood then accompanied Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN) to a Safe Routes to School kick-off event at St. Joan of Arc School, also in Indianapolis. The Secretary blogged about his experience, and enthusiastically wrote about the benefits of Safe Routes to School.

Hubsmith Testifies on Bike/Ped Safety Before Senate Committee
April 14, 2010
Deb Hubsmith, Director of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Safe Routes to School and bicycle and pedestrian safety on April 14, 2010. In her testimony, Hubsmith called attention to the grave disparities between the number of bicyclists and pedestrians killed each year in traffic crashes and the small proportion of funding that is used by states to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. She highlighted Safe Routes to School, Complete Streets, increasing the use of safety funds for bicycle and pedestrian safety, and improving data collection as ways to address these disparities. Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) asked Hubsmith questions on bicycle and pedestrian safety. The hearing can be viewed on the Senate EPW Committee’s website; Hubsmith’s testimony begins approximately 60 minutes into the video, and the questions follow at the end.

Partnership Participates in White House Childhood Obesity Summit
April 9, 2010
Earlier in the month, on April 9, Margo Pedroso, Deputy Director of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, participated in the White House Childhood Obesity Summit. The built environment, land use planning, and Safe Routes to School were mentioned by several participants in the summit. Input from summit participants will be incorporated into a forthcoming childhood obesity action plan.

Secretary LaHood Leads the Way for Bicycling and Walking
April 1, 2010
Secretary Ray LaHood of the US Department of Transportation issued a new "Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation." The policy statement recommends that state DOTs and communities treat bicycling and walking as an equal transportation mode, incorporate bike/ped facilities into transportation projects, set mode share targets for bicycling and walking, collect data on bicycling and walking, and more. The Alliance for Bicycling and Walking and the League of American Bicyclists are leading efforts to counteract negative comments from Members of Congress on this policy, and helping advocates craft responses.

Transportation Extension Passes; Senate Focusing on Reauthorization
April 1, 2010
Since our last update, Congress has passed the long-term transportation extension through December 2010, -meaning that the federal Safe Routes to School program will be funded at the FY2009 level of $183 million throughout the remainder of FY2010 and the first quarter of FY2011. The Federal Highway Administration should be issuing the memo within a few weeks that gives states their exact apportionments for all transportation programs. Once the memo has been issued, the Partnership will be working with state and local advocates to ensure that state Departments of Transportation make plans to hold new SRTS grant cycles that will put the newly available funds to good use in schools and communities across the country.

Senator Boxer, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has also publicly stated that she wants to move forward on the full transportation reauthorization bill this year. The Committee has started holding more hearings, and staff is starting to work on drafting legislation. It is important that advocates continue to contact their Senators to ask for their support of S. 1156, the Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization Act. Fortunately, we are now up to 22 Senators in support, with Senator Murray (D-WA) the latest addition. In the House, during the National Bike Summit bike advocates were successful in getting 16 new sponsors for H.R. 4021, the Safe Routes to High Schools Act, bringing the total supporters to 39 Representatives.

Health Care Overhaul Bill Includes Program that Could Benefit SRTS
April 1, 2010
During the month of March, Congress passed health care overhaul legislation. One of the provisions included in the bill creates "Community Transformation" grants. Funds will be awarded competitively to State and local government agencies or community-based organizations to implement policy, environmental, programmatic and infrastructure changes needed to promote healthy living and reduce health disparities. Several eligible activities focus on enhancing physical activity, including "creating the infrastructure to support active living." This could prove to be a potential future funding opportunity for Safe Routes to School programming, although it could be many months (if not a year) before grant applications are available. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership will monitor the creation of this new program.

Partnership Submits Comments Linking SRTS to Federal Childhood Obesity Efforts
March 23, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama and the federal Task Force on Childhood Obesity are developing a national action plan on childhood obesity. The SRTS National Partnership submitted detailed comments on Safe Routes to School, active transportation networks, and Complete Streets. Nearly 100 SRTS supporters also submitted comments to the Task Force. We continue to work with our federal agency partners and the First Lady’s office to raise the profile of Safe Routes to School within this movement.

Long-term transportation extension on tap
March 8, 2010
A great deal of back-and-forth has been happening on the transportation and jobs bills since our last update. The last week of February, the Senate moved forward on its jobs bill, a much smaller and more focused bill. It includes a long-term extension for SAFETEA-LU until December 31, 2010 but does not include any new stimulus funding for surface transportation. Due to procedural hurdles, the House and Senate were not able to agree on the final jobs bill (including the transportation extension) before the end of February, so SAFETEA-LU actually expired for two days. Congress has since passed another short-term extension allowing SAFETEA-LU to continue through March. The House has also just passed a slightly tweaked version of the Senate jobs bill. At this point, the Senate must vote one final time on the jobs bill before it can be signed into law. Once that happens, SAFETEA-LU will be operating under the long-term extension. The federal Safe Routes to School program (and all other SAFETEA-LU programs) will be funded throughout the remainder of FY2010 and the first quarter of FY2011 at the FY2009 funding level.

It is also expected that within a few weeks, Congress will pass language that will allow Safe Routes to School and several other transportation programs to receive an allocation of additional “bonus formula funds” which could increase funding for Safe Routes to School by another 7 to 10 percent for FY2010. Finally, the Senate will likely move forward on other larger jobs bills in the coming weeks and months, and there is still talk that one of these bills will include additional funding for transportation, similar to last year’s stimulus funding.

Active Community Transportation Act Introduced
March 2, 2010
Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) has introduced H.R. 4722, the Active Community Transportation Act (the ACT Act). The legislation would create a $2 billion competitive grant program to help communities build networks of bicycling and walking infrastructure. H.R. 4722 would allow communities to access multi-year, large grants to build complete bicycle and pedestrian facilities that connect homes to jobs, schools, recreation, and shops. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has endorsed the ACT Act, as it presents an exciting opportunity to make bicycling and walking to schools, work and other destinations safer and more viable. To take action on this bill, please visit the Rails-to-Trails action alert page to take action!

SRTS highlighted at US DOT listening session
February 19, 2010
The US DOT sponsored a listening session for the reauthorization of the federal transportation bill in Los Angeles, California. During the plenary session, many questions were raised about the role of Safe Routes to School, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and health in US DOT and Congressional priorities. Secretary Ray LaHood emphasized the DOT’s focus on livability and told the crowd, “we get it!” In response to these questions Senator Boxer stated, “this is real, we’re working to create healthy sustainable communities.” Later in the day, Safe Routes to School National Partnership Director Deb Hubsmith spoke on a panel focused on transportation safety.

First Lady Michelle Obama focuses on childhood obesity
February 3, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama has selected her signature policy focus, and it will be childhood obesity. In a January 20, 2010 speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mrs. Obama promised to unveil a “major initiative” in February to combat childhood obesity. While details have not yet been released, her speech at the event indicated it would include healthier school lunches, increasing physical activity, and greater access to healthy foods and nutrition education. The First Lady cited a number of examples from mayors around the country, including Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck of Arlington, TX who issued pedometers to children to encourage them to walk more, and Mayor Darwin Hindman of Columbia, MO for his community’s efforts to build more paths and bike trails connecting homes to schools and businesses. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership applauds the First Lady’s attention to childhood obesity and the need to get more children physically active.

Join Advocates from Across the Country at the National Bike Summit
February 3, 2010
The League of American Bicyclists is hosting their tenth annual National Bike Summit from March 9-11, 2010 in Washington DC. We will also be participating in a breakout session on March 10 at 2:30 p.m. entitled “Strengthening Safe Routes to School in the Next Transportation Bill.” Come and learn more about our reauthorization recommendations, the Congressional environment for the transportation bill, and data and facts you can use to “sell” Safe Routes to School to your Members of Congress. If you are a SRTS advocate attending the National Bike Summit, please contact Margo Pedroso so that we can help you make the most of your visit to the nation’s capitol, and provide you with state-specific SRTS fact sheets you can use in your Hill meetings.

Transportation bill in a holding pattern; jobs bill under discussion
February 3, 2010
Since Senate Democrats no longer hold a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority, bills that are controversial or require the outlay of significant new funding—like the transportation and climate bills—are more difficult to pass. Senate leaders have started negotiations on their jobs package. The Senate may work on several jobs bills, and it looks like funding for transportation (including Transportation Enhancements) will be included, but at a lower level than the House-passed jobs bill. It is possible that infrastructure funding could be held back for a future bill. In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Transportation continues to hold listening sessions around the country to discuss the future of the transportation bill. Network organizers in Louisiana and Minnesota attended the first two listening sessions to discuss the importance of the federal Safe Routes to School program for safety and livability.

New “State of the States” Shows Slowdown in SRTS Award and Obligation Rates
February 3, 2010
The Partnership strongly encourages state Departments of Transportation (DOT) to keep moving forward on awarding any remaining Safe Routes to School funds, and to get the funds obligated as quickly as possible. Our February 2010 quarterly update shows that both award and obligation rates slowed in the first quarter of FY2010. The Partnership will continue to work with our state networks and other advocates to emphasize the importance of getting these federal funds spent in local communities.

Partnership Encourages DOT’s RITA to Prioritize Research on SRTS
January 28, 2010
The US Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) has requested public comment on the development of their 2010-2015 strategic planning initiative. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership submitted comments encouraging RITA to conduct research on a range of Safe Routes to School topics that will help spur additional investment in Safe Routes to School and get more children walking and bicycling to school.

Congress passes transportation extension
January 7, 2010
Before adjourning for the holidays, Congress passed an extension to the current SAFETEA-LU transportation bill, which allows transportation funds to continue to flow until February 28, 2010. All existing programs, including Safe Routes to School, will continue to be funded at their FY2009 levels through the end of February. The House also included a provision in other legislation (the jobs bill) to extend SAFETEA-LU until September 30, 2010—if the Senate concurs, action on the transportation bill would slip until late this year or next year.

House moves forward on jobs bill that includes transportation funding
January 7, 2010
In December, the House passed the "Jobs for Main Street Act," focused on creating and saving jobs. The House bill includes $75 billion for a variety of programs, including $27.5 billion for surface transportation and $8.4 billion for transit. The Senate will reconvene in mid-January and one of their first priorities is to work on its version of the jobs bill. While the final jobs bill may differ from the House’s "Jobs for Main Street Act," there are several provisions in the House bill of interest:

  1. The surface transportation fund would be allocated similarly to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) economic stimulus that was passed in February 2009-including a minimum 3% set-aside for Transportation Enhancements, which amounts to $800 million. Many sidewalk, curb cut and bicycle infrastructure projects were funded under the ARRA bill, so this may be an opportunity for significant funding for Safe Routes to School projects.
  2. States would also be required to put half of their funding under contract within 90 days of the bill’s passage, which is significantly faster than the ARRA provisions. This could potentially help smaller ready-to-go bicycle and pedestrian projects that would be able to move more quickly through the contracting process.

Partnership Submits Comments to NHTSA
December 23, 2009
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has requested public comment on the development of their 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership submitted comments encouraging NHTSA to strengthen their focus on bicycle and pedestrian safety, including children.

Continued uncertainty on timeline for transportation bill
December 2, 2009
Congress has shifted its primary focus to health care and the unemployment numbers, leaving little room for movement on transportation and climate bills. However, the current extension for the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill expires on December 18. Congress will have to act by then to ensure that transportation funds continue to flow. There has been talk of Congress passing a six-month extension, but the situation is still very fluid. Congress and the Administration are also discussing passing a “jobs bill” to address the rising unemployment rate. Many ideas—including transportations spending—are currently being considered to accelerate job growth. The size and make-up of the bill have not been worked out, but Congress hopes to have a bill passed by the State of the Union in January. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is monitoring the situation for opportunities to include Safe Routes to School funding in the package.

Climate bill pushed back to next year
December 2, 2009
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed its climate bill on November 5—with all Republicans boycotting the vote. Discussions are now taking place between Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Graham (R-SC) to identify a compromise climate bill. Further action by the Senate is not expected until next spring.

New State of the States Report Tracks Award and Obligation Rates
November 20, 2009
Each quarter, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership issues a “State of the States” to track the movement of each state Department of Transportation (DOT) in awarding and obligating federal Safe Routes to School funds. The November 2009 State of the States Chart reveals that over the last quarter (July through September 2009), DOTs have awarded close to $23 million in Safe Routes to School awards and have obligated more than $34 million to allow already-awarded projects to move forward. Many states made big strides in obligating funding, with almost all states obligating funding this past quarter. Overall, approximately 73% of the overall funds have been awarded and 39% have been obligated. The Partnership urges SRTS advocates to continue to work with state leaders to get 100% of the funding awarded and obligated.

LaHood talks with advocates about pedestrian safety and livability
November 16, 2009
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership participated in a coalition meeting with Secretary Ray LaHood to discuss pedestrian safety and Transportation for America’s new report, Dangerous by Design. The Partnership discussed how Safe Routes to School programs and Complete Streets policies improve safety for children walking and bicycling. In a blog post after the meeting, Secretary LaHood affirmed his support for Complete Streets planning to make sure roadways are designed for all users—including bicyclists and pedestrians.

New Blumenauer Bill Would Expand Safe Routes to School to High Schools
November 13, 2009
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and nine other Representatives have just introduced H.R. 4021 to make high schools eligible for Safe Routes to School funding. Allowing high schools to compete for federal Safe Routes to School funding will help adolescents be more physically active, continue healthy and green transportation habits, and reinforce bicycle and pedestrian safety for high school students. Learn more and contact your Representative in support of H.R. 4021.

Serving Students with Disabilities Through Safe Routes to School Programs Position Paper
November 4, 2009
The Partnership created the Serving Students with Disabilities Through Safe Routes to School Programs position paper to apprise Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the National Center for Safe Routes to School (the Clearinghouse) on recommended strategies for meeting the stated goal in section 1404 of SAFETEA-LU for serving students with disabilities through Safe Routes to School programs. The position paper is organized to address the background and need of serving students with disabilities, challenges and benefits, and four recommendations which focus on training and curricula; outreach to parents and students; pilot programs; and evaluation of the inclusion efforts for students with disabilities in Safe Routes to School programs. We hope that this paper will lead toward increased action and focus on serving students with disabilities through existing SRTS funds.

Transportation Bill Update
November 3, 2009
Congress has again pushed back a decision on the timeline for the transportation bill. All transportation programs have been extended one more time, at FY2009 funding levels, until December 18, 2009. There continues to be disagreement between the House and the Senate about the best way of proceeding on a long-term transportation bill. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is using this delay to ensure that Members of Congress know the value of Safe Routes to School.

  • During October, three more Senators [Sens. Nelson (D-FL), Klobuchar (D-MN), and Wyden (D-OR)] joined S. 1156, the Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization bill. Please – keep contacting your Senators to ask them to cosponsor so we can continue to expand support for this important bill.
  • In the House, we continue to talk with Members about the important changes that Chairman Oberstar (D-MN) included for Safe Routes to School in the draft Surface Transportation Authorization Act.
  • Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR) will soon be introducing legislation to expand Safe Routes to School to high schools; we will circulate additional information and a call to action as soon as that happens.
  • Finally, we want to thank everyone who participated in our Dear Congress campaign. We received more than 800 letters from parents, children and community leaders and are now sharing those with members of Congress.

Climate Bill Update
November 3, 2009
Senators Boxer and Kerry have released the funding allocations and updated language for their Senate climate bill, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. The bill language requiring large metropolitan areas to develop transportation plans reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains intact. In other positive news—funding for the transportation section has increased significantly over the House climate bill, which had provided only up to 1% of climate revenues for transportation. Over the forty-year life of the Senate bill, anywhere from 1.8% to 3.1% of climate revenues each year would go to transportation, averaging 2.4% per year. Half of this funding would go to transit agencies and the other half would be used for transportation planning and competitive grants for green transportation projects. While this falls short of the 10% for transportation that we were supporting through CLEAN-TEA, it’s a step in the right direction. Transportation emissions represent nearly 30% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a series of hearings on the legislation last week. This week, the Committee held a business meeting to consider the bill, but Republicans boycotted the session. Next steps are still under discussion.

Transportation Bill in a Holding Pattern
October 13, 2009
During September, Congress was unable to come to agreement on the length of the extension to the current transportation bill, which was set to expire on September 30, 2009. As we’ve reported previously, the House was pushing for a 3-month extension, while the Senate and Administration have been pushing for an 18-month extension. The House and Senate could not come to agreement, and instead did a short-term 1-month extension. That means discussion over the timeline for when to consider the next transportation bill will continue throughout October.

Climate Bill on the Front Burner
October 13, 2009
On September 30, Senators Kerry (D-MA) and Boxer (D-CA) unveiled the Senate climate bill, called the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. The bill will include a substantial section on transportation planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a competitive grant program for green transportation projects—such as transit, bicycling and walking infrastructure. The draft also includes funding set-asides for state and local governments to do the planning and carry out the projects, but the dollar value of those set-asides are unclear until additional details are included until later in the Committee process.

We have endorsed S. 575, CLEAN-TEA, which would direct 10% of climate auction revenues to green transportation planning and infrastructure. We have also joined with a number of other organizations on a joint letter to Senators Boxer and Kerry to encourage them to include adequate funding for green transportation as the bill moves forward. We encourage Safe Routes to School supporters to contact their Senators to urge them to include adequate funding for transportation in the climate bill.

Join the Safe Routes to School “Dear Congress” campaign and help spread the word
Deadline has been extended to October 23, 2009
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has launched a “Dear Congress: Why Safe Routes to School is Important” campaign. We need your help. We’re striving to generate hundreds—if not thousands—of letters from children, parents, program staff and volunteers, and school and city leaders talking about why Safe Routes to School is important to individuals and communities. We will bundle your letters and share them with members of the House and Senate so that they know how many people in their states and districts value Safe Routes to School. Read on for how you can join the campaign.

CDC Releases Grant Application for Hundreds of Millions in Community Prevention Dollars
September 29, 2009
Through the new Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant program, the CDC will award $373 million to 30 to 40 communities throughout the country to reduce obesity and tobacco use. The program is an opportunity for bicycle and pedestrian advocates and local and state health departments to work together to secure significant funding to increase walking and bicycling for transportation and recreation.

Rescissions Process Likely to Result in Loss of Up to 4.45% of SRTS Funds in Each State
September 21, 2009
In our last issue of E-News, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership notified you that a number of transportation programs are currently subject to rescissions. All state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) must return a portion of their federal transportation funds to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)—including the Safe Routes to School program. The rescissions process is complicated for SRTS – but states will have to return a maximum of 4.45% of their SRTS funds. For additional information on how the rescission amount will be calculated, including a state-by-state table of maximum SRTS rescissions, please review our rescissions memo.  UPDATE: The final rescission numbers for each state are now available.

Federal Funding for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects Under Attack – Call Your Senator Today
September 15, 2009
Our friends with several bicycling and walking organizations have shared a critical call to action. On September 16, Senators Coburn of Oklahoma and McCain of Arizona plan to offer amendments to the transportation appropriations bill that would eliminate funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure—including Transportation Enhancements and possibly other programs like Safe Routes to School. Please act now—call your senator and ask him or her to vote against the proposed amendments. Learn how on the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website. If you follow the link to their website, you will find sample talking points, a link to your Senators’ phone numbers, and a form to report the response from your Senators.

The Latest on the Transportation Bill
September 10, 2009
The House and Senate have approximately three weeks left before the current transportation bill expires, and must come to agreement on the length of an extension. The Senate and the Administration want a longer extension of 18 months, while the House prefers a much shorter extension. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee may move forward with further consideration of its existing House transportation draft bill in the meantime. Whatever the length of the extension, it is expected to continue all current transportation programs at their current fiscal year 2009 funding levels. However, an extension may create difficulties for state DOTs in committing to new projects and grants as they will be receiving money in installments over the course of the year. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership will continue to monitor state DOTs to ensure that Safe Routes to School funds are awarded and obligated in a timely fashion.

State DOT Rescissions in the Works
September 10, 2009
In other federal news, it is time for rescissions. In this federally-mandated process, state DOTs must return a portion of their existing transportation funds in a number of programs to Washington. For most transportation programs subject to the rescission, the loss of funding will be approximately 5% of a program’s total funding from FY2004-2009. Safe Routes to School is unique in that there are two methods of calculating the rescissions for each state -one based on unobligated balances as compared with other programs, and one is based on the funding level as compared with other programs. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is working closely with the Federal Highway Administration to determine the impact on state Safe Routes to School programs. At this point it appears that the maximum rescission will be around 4.5% of a state’s Safe Routes to School funds, but could be less in some states depending on obligation levels. As soon as we have more details, including state by state figures, we will share those via a subsequent email alert.

Make Plans Now to Meet With Your Members of Congress in August in Support of SRTS
August 11, 2009
As August draws near, many Americans are thinking about vacations and trips to the beach or pool. But – it’s also an important time to connect with your Members of Congress, who spend August at home in their districts talking with constituents. That makes it a perfect time to discuss Safe Routes to School with your Members of Congress. Read on for the key ways you can help.

Transportation Bill Update
August 11, 2009
Both the House and Senate have passed a bill that fixes the funding shortfall for current transportation programs until the end of September. The current transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, expires at the end of September—but there is disagreement about how to proceed. The Senate has already moved forward on legislation that would extend the current transportation bill another 18 months (funding all programs, including SRTS, at the FY2009 until March 2011). The House prefers to focus on passing a full transportation bill instead of a long-term extension. The House and Senate will have to resolve their differences and decide on a way forward for the next transportation bill before the end of September.

Climate Bill Update
August 11, 2009
In June, the House passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act.  Since then, the Senate has held several hearings on the climate bill, including on the role transportation plays in greenhouse gas emissions.  Several members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee are publicly supportive of providing sufficient climate funding for green transportation alternatives like public transit and bicycle/pedestrian networks.  The numerous Senate committees who have jurisdiction over the climate bill are expected to release draft climate legislation and proceed with consideration in September.

Exciting New Reports Released This Summer
August 11, 2009
There are several exciting new reports that were released in July that show deepening support nationwide for Safe Routes to School.

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention release an MMWR report  with 24 Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States. Several of the strategies focus on key issues related to Safe Routes to School including school siting, walking, bicycling and complete streets.
  • The July/August issue of the Federal Highway Administration’s magazine, Public Roads, included a big story – “Safe Routes to School—Making a Big Difference Via Small Steps” , featuring how all 50 states and DC are participating and more than 5,200 schools are already being served. The story includes lots of great case studies from throughout the country.
  • The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity released a position statement on the intersection between transportation and public health. The paper lists four strategies for advancing healthy transportation including: expanding Safe Routes to School, serving low-income communities, enacting complete streets, and proving more public transportation options.
  • PolicyLink and the Prevention Institute released the Transportation Prescription commissioned by the Convergence Partnership which includes a forward by Congressman Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This policy guide includes great statistics and analyzes the intersection of transportation, health and equity. It provides key policy and program recommendations that can improve health outcomes in vulnerable communities, create economic opportunity, and enhance environmental quality.

Update on House Transportation Bill and Safe Routes to School
June 19, 2009
Over the past few days, there has been a lot of movement on the transportation bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. On Thursday, June 18, Reps. Oberstar, Mica, DeFazio, and Duncan, who are the lead Democrats and Republicans on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, released a Blueprint of the transportation bill.  For more information, click here.

House Transportation Bill May Be Unveiled This Month
June 8, 2009
Chairman Oberstar of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee may be releasing a draft of the next transportation bill, or at least white papers outlining his intended approach, this month. To prepare for the transportation bill, Members of Congress spent much of May building support for their priorities. Reps. Blumenauer (D-OR), Lipinski (D-IL), and Edwards (D-MD) each took the lead on letters to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in support of SRTS and other bicycle/pedestrian and safety programs. Several dozen Members of Congress signed on to the letters, which help demonstrate that there is broad support for the program’s expansion in the next transportation bill.

House GOP Proposes Eliminating SRTS as Part of Budget-Cutting Effort
June 4, 2009
Today, Reps. Boehner and Cantor, who are part of the House Republican leadership issued a list of dozens of programs they propose eliminating to reduce spending and the deficit. Among many of the items they propose to eliminate is the Safe Routes to School program (along with other bike/ped programs like Transportation Enhancements and the Non-Motorized Pilot Program), arguing it should be handled by local governments. This list of proposed reductions was released to the media today in the form of a letter to President Obama, and is not a part of the regular budget and appropriations process at this point. The Associated Press did an article on the proposed cuts which highlights Safe Routes to School.

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is continuing to work to ensure the extension and expansion of the Safe Routes to School program. Rep. Oberstar, the Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, should soon be releasing his draft transportation bill and we hope there will be positive language in there for Safe Routes to School. We also recently worked with a bipartisan group of Senators to secure introduction of S. 1156, the Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization Act, which would expand funding to $600 million per year and make changes to strengthen the program. We are finding a lot of support for Safe Routes to School on both sides of the aisle.

Contact Your Member of Congress Today to Make Sure Bicycling, Walking, and Safe Routes to School Are a Part of Our Transportation System
May 19, 2009
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership needs five minutes of your time to help make sure that Members of Congress support bicycling and walking in the multi-year federal transportation bill, a draft of which is scheduled to be released in a couple of weeks.

There are two different “Dear Colleague” letters being circulated in the U.S. House of Representatives that call for increased federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs in the next transportation bill. With your help as a constituent, we can get a critical mass of Members of Congress to sign on to these letters and show strong, broad support for bicycling, walking, and Safe Routes to School in the next transportation bill. For more information on signing onto these letters, click here.

Transportation Bill Coming Soon; SRTS Making Progress
May 12, 2009
Rep. Oberstar, Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, has indicated he will be releasing his version of the transportation bill in early June. Recently, Congressman Oberstar has said in the media that the overall bill will likely total somewhere around $400-$450 billion, which would be a significant increase over the last transportation bill of $286 billion—but that the financing mechanism will be determined yet this summer. We are working closely with Chairman Oberstar’s staff to ensure that Safe Routes to School is included in the draft. We are also partnering with America Bikes on a support letter that members of the House Transportation Committee can sign to show support for Safe Routes to School, Complete Streets, bicycle/pedestrian funding, and a “fair share for safety.” On the Senate side, we expect Senator Harkin (D-IA) to introduce a Safe Routes to School reauthorization bill, based on the Partnership’s platform, in the coming weeks. As soon as the House support letter and Senate bill are available, we will alert SRTS supporters and ask you to take action.

Draft Climate Bill Includes Transportation Title
May 12, 2009
Rep. Waxman, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released a draft climate bill in late March that would establish a system for capping greenhouse gas emissions and auctioning off emissions allowances. The draft includes a transportation section that would require states and large metropolitan areas to submit goals and plans to reduce their transportation greenhouse gas emissions—including through bike/ped infrastructure. Funding would be provided to implement the plans, although funding levels are not specified in the draft. We are working with Transportation for America and the Smart Growth and Climate Change coalitions to support adequate funding for the transportation section.

Making Schools Green and Kids More Active
May 12, 2009
Last week, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed a new Green Schools bill that would provide $6.4 billion for school construction projects to modernize schools and make them more energy-efficient, including through improving b