Mayors Call on Congress to Pass Transportation Bill
During a March 23 meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Cities of Opportunity Task Force in Boston, mayors led by Martin J. Walsh of Boston, Bill de Blasio of New York City, USCM Vice President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake of Baltimore and Ed Murray of Seattle pledged to work together to urge Congress to approve a public transportation authorization bill. Specifically, the mayors are calling for increased resources, with more locally directed funding to address the growing needs in
cities where populations are steadily rising.
More than 20 mayors participated in the meeting, chaired by de Blasio. DOT Deputy Secretary Victor Mendez and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) addressed the mayors.
“Mayors are on the frontlines of combating inequality—and we know firsthand that transportation is central to that fight as the backbone of economic growth,” said de Blasio. “Transit serves as a lifeline for so many, connecting those who need it most to jobs, school and real mobility, while transportation infrastructure creates the good-paying jobs so many need. The status quo is simply unacceptable. It's time for Congress to truly invest in the future of our cities
and our nation by passing a bill that increases federal transportation funding. And we'll be making that clear with direct action in our cities and in Washington.” He also referenced APTA's Stand Up for Transportation event on April 9, when members of the business, faith, labor and civic communities will gather to call for increased public transit funding through social media and visits to their members of Congress. See the press conference at this link.
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FTA Schedules Webinar on Hiring and Contracting Initiative
DOT's Office of the General Counsel and FTA have scheduled a webinar March 31, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern time, regarding a March 6 DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the Common Grant Rule (2 CFR Part 200) to permit the use of geographic hiring preferences in DOT grant programs. The same day,
DOT announced a related one-year pilot program regarding local hiring practices. For those who wish to use their telephones for the webinar, call 888-273-3658, using access code 4463947. To request alternative formats or other reasonable accommodations due to a disability, contact Tom Wilson by 5 p.m. March 30.
New Look for APTA's Website
Visitors to APTA's website will find a fresh new look. The redesigned site launched this week, In addition to the new appearance, the site provides an optimal viewing experience on mobile devices. APTA has also improved the search function and used WCAG (web content accessibility guidelines) in making improvements.
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SAVE THE DATE |
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What is your organization planning for Stand Up for Transportation Day, April 9? Please let APTA know! Contact Rose Sheridan, Mantill Williams or Chad Chitwood.
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IN THE MEDIA |
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Dallas Police Officer Charles Vaughn serenaded commuters on board Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail during the agency's recent "DARTing with the Chief on the Beat" event.
An editorial in the Los Angeles Times promotes a plan being considered by Los Angeles Metro to support the development of affordable housing along public transportation lines.
Former DOT Secretary Ray LaHood recently spoke about the need for bipartisanship in Congress as featured speaker for the 2015 ConocoPhillips White House Lecture at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library.
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