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With transportation authorization still on the table before Congress and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act providing thousands of transit-related jobs in its first year, participants in the 35th Annual APTA Legislative Conference have a lot to consider as they meet in Washington, DC, March 14-16.

Speakers on the conference schedule include Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood; Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff; and Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo.

Conference activities kicked off during the weekend with numerous committee meetings, the “Welcome to Washington” session featuring published author and commentator Stuart Rothenberg, and the Welcoming Reception.

Before LaHood addresses the Opening General Session on March 15, APTA’s business members will host a breakfast speaker that morning. This will be followed by a session on “Expanding the Transit Coalition: Partners in Transportation Authorization,” scheduled to include representatives of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, and Reconnecting America.

Following a lunchtime performance by the satirical group The Capitol Steps, the Monday afternoon schedule features Rogoff, Szabo, and other speakers from DOT’s modal administrations; the “View from the Hill” session, where key congressional staff will report on legislative issues facing the transit industry such as authorization, jobs, transit rail safety, and climate change. There will also be concurrent sessions focusing on high-speed and commuter rail, as well as on climate change, sustainability, livability, and public transportation.

Tuesday's Schedule
Members of Congress—including Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee; John Mica (R-FL), ranking member of the full T&I committee; Earl Blumenauer (D-OR); Steven LaTourette (R-OH); and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee—will speak at the March 16 Morning General Session, which opens with a full breakfast. The rest of the day’s schedule is open to allow conference participants to visit Capitol Hill and meet with their elected representatives and their staff members to discuss a range of issues, including the economic, environmental, and energy conservation benefits of public transportation.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., APTA is partnering with the Amalgamated Transit Union to host its annual Capitol Hill reception for lawmakers and staffers in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Following the conference on Wednesday, March 17, APTA will host a half-day workshop on changes in the Federal Transit Administration’s New and Small Starts programs. Participants are asked to register in advance at the APTA registration desk.

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