Passenger Transport Express - 06/05/2015 (Plain Text Version)NEWS HEADLINESObama Threatens Veto of House THUD Appropriations Bill
This week, the House of Representatives began consideration of the Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations bill for the departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD), but adjourned for the weekend before completing work on the bill. In a statement released June 1, President Obama threatened to veto the bill in its current House form, saying it "freezes or cuts critical investment in transportation that creates jobs, helps to grow the economy and improves America's roads, bridges, transit infrastructure and aviation systems, benefiting towns and cities across the United States." The full statement is available here. Feinberg's Nomination Sent to Senate
On May 29, President Obama announced his plans to nominate FRA Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg to that position on a permanent basis, succeeding Joseph C. Szabo. He submitted the nomination to the Senate on June 1. House T&I Committee Holds Hearing on Amtrak Derailment
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing June 2 on oversight of the May 12 Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia. Witnesses were FRA Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg, Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman, NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart and Dennis Pierce, national president, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. To view the hearing, click here. [return to top] Sales Tax Vote Fails in Sonoma County, CA
On June 2, voters in Sonoma County, CA, defeated a five-year, quarter-cent increase in the county sales tax by a margin of 37 percent in favor and 63 percent opposed. Had the measure passed, the funds raised by the tax increase would have been invested in infrastructure and road improvements. Vote counting for a June 2 property owners’ assessment election in Sacramento was not complete as Passenger Transport Express went to press. If this measure passes, downtown residents will vote on establishing a streetcar funding district. [return to top] SAVE THE DATE
Make plans now to participate in the APTA Transit Board Members & Board Support Seminar, July 18-21 in Denver. Professional development sessions will focus on best practices in governance and innovative solutions to create policy for public transportation systems. Register here. [return to top] IN THE MEDIA
NPR quoted APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy and Metra President Donald Orseno in a report on the status of PTC installation by U.S. rail systems, focusing on the fact that many of the nation's commuter rail systems will not be able to meet the year-end federal deadline for installing the technology. |