Leaders in both the House and Senate have met over the past several days and continue to express their commitment to passing a surface transportation authorization bill in the near future. The Conference Committee led by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. John Mica (R-FL) have been engaged in serious negotiations in an effort to reach an agreement before next week. Congressional staff are expected to be working through the weekend on details of the bill.

 

Additionally, the House Appropriations Committee passed the FY 2013 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Bill which sets funding levels for all federal transportation programs for the upcoming year. Details on both of these items can be found in this week's Legislative Update.

Trottenberg Nominated for Undersecretary Position
Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Polly Trottenberg has been nominated by President Obama to be the Under Secretary for Policy. In announcing the change, Obama expressed his gratitude for her service in her current role as well as bringing her talent and expertise to a new role within the administration. 

APTA Urged Country to "Dump The Pump" With Biggest Coalition Ever
APTA organized in partnership with the Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council the largest "National Dump the Pump Day" ever. All told, more than 160 groups participated, including a record number of public transit systems (144) to urge people to "dump the pump" and turn to public transit to save money. More details of the activities will be in next week's Passenger Transport.

APTA Accepting Nominations for Officers and Directors
Nominations for APTA officers and directors opened on June 1 and will continue through July 13. Elections will be held in September at APTA’s 2012 Business and Elections Meeting. Submit your nominees electronically through the APTA website.

SAVE THE DATE


The Transit Board Member Seminar and Board Support Employee Development Workshop is coming up quickly! Register for what will be a packed schedule in Atlanta, July 21-24. Don’t miss the Host technical tours of their solar-powered canopies at Laredo (the largest structure of its type in Georgia), or the Lindbergh Transit-Oriented Development & Armour Rail Yard.

IN THE MEDIA


When a couple finds the perfect reception location but want to be married in a neighboring jurisdiction they have multiple options. One couple from the DC metro area decided to take the scenic route and got married in D.C. on a WMATA train as it crossed the Potomac River toward Virginia.