Members of the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) gathered in Washington, D.C., in March at their annual Public Policy Summit to drive home what is at stake for millions of Americans during the next few months when Congress will potentially act on a transportation bill setting policies that will be relevant to millions of commuters across the county by affecting the ease, options, and price of their daily commute.
"We have a dollar problem and a dime in our pocket," said ACT Government Affairs Director Jason Pavluchuk. "The reauthorization of MAP-21 is at an important juncture. Our members are trying to build a 21st century transportation system and we need 21st century policies to do that."
Commuting by bus, train, rideshare, bike, walking, or telework contributes to energy independence, better air quality, sustainability, urban mobility, and reduced congestion.
ACT believes the challenges facing the 114th Congress are clear:
- Identify and establish long-term and sustainable funding sources that increase investment in the national transportation network.
- Put policies in place to ensure that public funds will optimize value.
- Involve new stakeholders in the process.
"You could not have picked a better time to come to Washington to tell your important stories,"Paul Balmer, legislative assistant to Rep. Earl Blumenauer, told attendees in his rallying keynote address at the 8th Annual ACT Public Policy Summit and Education Forum. "The 10-month extension of surface transportation legislation expires in about two months. Instead of dealing with policy that will make our communities safer, healthier, and create jobs, Congress has been stumbling from deadline to deadline, backfilling the Highway Trust Fund and increasing the deficit just to meet inadequate levels of funding, threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs."
"ACT is ready to assist in passage of legislation that identifies long-term and sustainable funding solutions," said ACT President Rob Henry. "Making the commute better is often a truly bipartisan issue, but it isn't always on the front burner as it should be and we are working to prevent roadblocks — literally and figuratively."
