Transportation Issues
Congress is working on the next version of the surface transportation bill, which includes funding and policies affecting a wide variety of transportation modes and projects. In addition to advocating for the federal Safe Routes to School program, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership also works with coalitions and partner organizations to support other transportation policies and programs that can help create a supportive environment for Safe Routes to School and help build a sustainable transportation system.
Key partners in this effort include America Bikes, National Complete Streets Coalition, and Transportation for America. Together, we are working to see that the next surface transportation bill includes:
- Increased funding for bicycling and walking, including the Transportation Enhancements program and Safe Routes to School;
- Requirements that jurisdictions pass Complete Streets policies that ensure that the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, and people of all ages and abilities are addressed in future road improvements;
- Performance outcomes for transportation projects that include the impact on the health of people and communities;
- A more cohesive transportation system with greater accessibility and mobility for all Americans that allows for greener and healthier transportation choices.
Latest News and Information:
Transportation Enhancements is Saved in the Extension
September 19, 2011
Last week, the bicycling and walking community generated more than 50,000 emails plus thousands of phone calls to all U.S. Senators to defend the Transportation Enhancements program against Sen. Coburn’s (R-OK) threat to strip it in the transportation extension. The support that bicycle and pedestrian advocates showed to the Senate was critical in ensuring that Senators stood strong against Sen. Coburn’s demands. And, late last week, Sen. Coburn withdrew his proposed amendment and allowed the surface transportation extension to move forward. Now, all current surface transportation programs (including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails) are continued at current funding levels until March 31, 2012.
The extension now gives Congress six months to keep working on passing a long-term transportation reauthorization bill. It is clear that we will have to fight this battle to defend bicycle and pedestrian funding again. However, we are fortunate that Sen. Boxer (D-CA), who chairs the Senate committee that has jurisdiction over transportation, publicly stated that Transportation Enhancements will be included in the reauthorization with some additional flexibility provided to states, and that there will be dedicated funding for bicycling and walking. Californians should thank Sen. Boxer for her leadership.
Sen. Coburn Threatens Transportation Enhancements
September 13, 2011
In the next few days, Senator Coburn (R-OK) is expected to try and hold up the extension of the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill unless Congress eliminates funding for the federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) program. For twenty years, Transportation Enhancements has been the primary funding source for sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, trails and more. Sen. Coburn is threatening to let tens of billions of transportation spending expire after September 30 (the current expiration of SAFETEA-LU) over the small amount that bicycling and walking receives.
If Sen. Coburn were to succeed, it would mean an immediate end to funding for Transportation Enhancements. It would also mean that our chances of sustaining any funding for bicycling and walking (including for Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails) in the long-term reauthorization bill would be more difficult. Advocates are urged to take two minutes to contact your Senators today to urge them to vote against the Coburn amendment and sustain dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements.
Signs of progress on the transportation bill, but no draft yet
June 15, 2011
Over the past month, there have been rumblings that a draft House or Senate transportation bill would be released very soon. At this point, it seems that the House bill will not be released until early July. A Senate bill could possibly come within the next week. While we are still in a holding pattern, there have been signs of movement in the past month:
- In late May, the leadership of EPW released a joint press release announcing core principles for a transportation bill.
- That same day, Sen. Boxer held a press conference on the transportation bill. In response to a question from the StreetsBlog Capitol Hill reporter, Sen. Boxer indicated there will be dedicated funding for bicycling and walking but that there is not yet an agreement among the EPW leaders on that issue.
- The lead EPW Republican, Sen. Inhofe (R-OK), later told a local paper that he does not agree that bicycling and walking should be funded in the transportation bill.
- We are working with other national organizations to ensure that other EPW Senators are asked by constituents to support bicycling and walking funding.
- We have just added Sens. Casey (D-PA), Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lautenberg (D-NJ) as new cosponsors to S. 800, the Safe Routes to School bill. Now, all eight of the non-leadership Democrats on EPW are official supporters of Safe Routes to School, which ensures we have advocates for Safe Routes to School during transportation negotiations.
California constituents call on Boxer to protect bike/ped funding
June 14, 2011
In California, we called on people and organizations to ask Sen. Boxer (D-CA) to preserve the Safe Routes to School, Transportation Enhancements and Recreational Trails programs. As chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), Sen. Boxer is absolutely key to protecting these programs. Californians responded in force - we estimate that Sen. Boxer heard from many thousands of constituents within a few days. Ninety California-based organizations also signed a letter to Senator Boxer supporting bicycling and walking funding.
Spending battle in the House
February 16, 2011
The House is moving forward this week to settle funding levels for the current fiscal year (through September 30, 2011) and to extend the current transportation bill:
- Transportation extension: The current SAFETEA-LU transportation bill extension expires March 4, 2011. The U.S. House of Representatives is currently considering legislation that would extend all transportation programs until September 30, 2011. We will keep everyone posted on the progress.
- Appropriations: This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering legislation (called a continuing resolution or CR) governing federal spending for the rest of FY2011. The legislation cuts spending $60 billion below FY2010 levels. Fortunately, Safe Routes to School and bicycling/walking programs were not subject to cuts either in the CR or in any of the 500+ amendments up for consideration. After this week, the CR moves to the Senate, but it is expected to be difficult for the House and Senate to agree on spending cuts—so we may see continuing battles over spending levels.
President’s budget includes transportation proposal
February 16, 2011
This week, the President released his proposed FY2012 budget, including the Administration’s proposal for a new surface transportation bill. The proposal calls for an investment of $556 billion in transportation—nearly double the SAFETEA-LU funding level—and a consolidation of 55 transportation programs into five programs. The Safe Routes to School program and four other programs are combined into a proposed new livability grant program totaling $4.1 billion in FY2012. We are working with the Administration on the details of their proposal to make sure SRTS is well-represented. Should this proposal become law, it makes SRTS projects eligible for a much larger pot of funding, but state and local advocates would need to work together to ensure that SRTS projects are prioritized by state DOTs in spending livability funding. This proposal will be the subject of much debate in Congress; the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee are expected to release their draft transportation bills this spring.
House to hold transportation hearings and listening sessions
February 15, 2011
Chairman Mica (R-FL) of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will be holding a series of listening sessions around the country from February 14-25. Locations have been released, but the formats will vary. Some will be invitation-only, while some will be hearings open to the public.
New transportation poll released
February 14, 2011
The Rockefeller Foundation has released the results of a bipartisan poll on transportation of American voters. Two out of three respondents said investing in infrastructure is very important. And, one of the top goal of voters—with 57% of respondents—was “safer streets for our communities and children.” This shows that the goals of the Safe Routes to School program resonate with voters.
Transportation bill extended; new House rules could impact spending
January 15, 2011
In late December, Congress passed an extension to the surface transportation bill until March 4, 2011, likely meaning the transportation bill will have to be extended again. Starting with this extension, the federal Safe Routes to School program will get a small funding bump as it will be included in the distributions of funds that were originally dedicated to now-completed high-priority projects (i.e. earmarked projects). In addition, in January, the House passed new operating rules that now allow transportation spending to be cut through the annual appropriations process. In the past, appropriators (who set spending levels) were not allowed to reduce spending below the levels provided in the surface transportation bill. This rules change indicates that transportation spending could be subject to cuts, particularly when spending exceeds the funds generated through the federal gas tax.
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.
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.