Lawmakers Urge Congress to 'Man Up' on Transportation Funding

Lawmakers urge Congress to ‘man up’ on transportation funding Rosalind Rossi SunTimes April 9, 2015 http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/lawmakers‐urge‐congress‐to‐man‐up‐on‐transportation‐funding/

Illinois’ federal lawmakers stood united with area transit leaders Thursday in urging Congress to “man up” and pass a long‐term federal transportation funding bill before two key transit measures expire or teeter on insolvency.

“My message to Congress is `Man up,’ ” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, (D‐Ill.), announced at a “Stand Up 4 Transportation” news conference at Chicago’s Union Station.

Durbin joined U.S. Reps. Dan Lipinski (D‐Ill.), Mike Quigley (D‐Ill.), Bill Foster (D‐Ill.) and U.S. Rep. Bob Dold (R‐Ill.) in urging Congress to pass long‐term funding instead of patchwork short‐term solutions to bankroll the nation’s public transit and transportation systems.

Lipinski noted that Congress has passed 11 short‐term extensions to fund the nation’s highway and transit needs in roughly the last six years.

“This is not good for our country,” Lipinski said. “Congress cannot keep kicking the can down the road . . . The system becomes more and more expensive to fix.”

Leaders of the CTA, Metra, Pace and Amtrak joined elected officials in urging long‐term, sustainable funding to maintain and upgrade transportation needs — from buses and trains to roads and bridges. Such a move is critical to not only the nation’s ability to move goods and carry people to work and commerce but to its future, they said.

Quigley noted that investing in transportation infrastructure pays dividends. He said that 6 percent of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was passed in the “depths of the economic downturn” involved such infrastructure projects, but they generated two‐thirds of the jobs the Act produced.

Similar events were held throughout the country Thursday, a national “Stand Up 4 Transportation Day.” They occurred as the Move Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, or Map‐21, is due to expire on May 31 and the federal Highway Trust Fund faces the possibility of teetering on insolvency this summer.

President Barack Obama has proposed spending $478 billion over the next six years to boost the nation’s transportation infrastructure. Funding ideas include increasing the 18.4 cents per gallon federal fuel tax and a “repatriation” plan in which companies with overseas branches or investments would bring back earnings to the United States at a 14 percent tax rate.

Even Republican Dold said he was intrigued by the idea because it would encourage companies with an estimated $2 trillion in offshore dollars to redirect those funds to the U.S., at a less than corporate tax rate, rather than invest them overseas.

“We have to put all the options on the table,” Dold said. The key, he said, is a long‐term, sustainable plan that will allow transportation agencies “to plan ahead and get greater use of their dollars.”

Locally, Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed cutting almost $170 million from the region’s transit systems, including a $130 million annual hit to the CTA, an almost $21 million cut to Metra, a $10 million trim to Pace, as well as the elimination of S$8.5 million in state funding to Pace for paratransit service for the disabled.

Transit representatives, state politicians request federal transportation funding Julia Jacobs, Assistant City Editor Daily Northwestern April 12, 2015 http://dailynorthwestern.com/2015/04/12/city/transit‐representatives‐state‐politicians‐request‐ federal‐transportation‐funding/

Transportation officials and state politicians called for increased federal funding to cover renovations for the region’s transit system in a press conference Thursday at Chicago Union Station.

Representatives from the Regional Transportation Authority along with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D‐Ill.) and Rep. Bob Dold (R‐Ill.) discussed the need for new long‐term transportation bills that support multi‐year projects instead of relying on temporary extensions. An existing bill, called MAP‐21 — which deals with commercial vehicle safety — is set to expire at the end of May, while the Highway Trust Fund — which provides for highway spending — is financially troubled.

The press conference was held on Stand Up 4 Transportation day, which a collection of transportation organizations created as a national push to gain federal funding for transportation system maintenance and expansion. “The residents of the state deserve reliable and affordable public transit, and we really need federal funds to help us keep moving,” Metra spokesman Michael Gillis told The Daily.

The RTA, which includes Metra, Pace and Chicago Transit Authority, has a lack of resources to fund its capital projects, which include rehabilitating stations and expanding transportation lines, Gillis said.

Metra needs more money to finish replacing ailing bridges along the Union Pacific North Line, a railroad that runs from Chicago to Wisconsin and passes through Evanston. Although the project is about 25 percent complete, Metra is counting on federal money to finish it, Gillis said.

The RTA system, which covers six counties, has the second‐largest transit operation behind New York based on passenger miles traveled, according to Metra.

“In my hometown area, where we have the third largest manufacturing district in the nation, we need the infrastructure to attract new businesses and support our local companies,” Dold said in a RTA news release. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure we pass a robust and long‐term transportation funding bill.”

Another Metra project in need of federal funds is Positive Train Control, a safety system Congress mandated all commuter railroads install, Gillis said. Durbin praised President Barack Obama for including in his proposed budget $825 million to help implement the project, along with other investments in transportation infrastructure.

Metra has started issuing bonds in an independent effort to bolster its finances, Gillis said.

“We can’t do it alone,” he added. “We need our partners in Washington and Springfield to help out.”

Durbin announced on Wednesday $2 million of funding from the federal Department of Transportation to construct a railroad underpass in Springfield that will support the Chicago‐to‐St. Louis system, according to the RTA. Two days later, Durbin and other state politicians also announced an additional $7 million of federal, state and Chicago funds to renovate Union Station. Rep. Lipinski Helps Lead Push on Funding for Public Transportation By ISAAC SANCKEN Star Patcher April 9, 2015

Rep. Lipinski Helps Lead Push on Funding for Public Transportation At Union Station in Chicago today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL‐3) joined representatives from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace, Amtrak, and other members of the Illinois congressional delegation to push Congress to pass a long‐term bill to fund local and national transportation needs, especially public transportation. The event is one of many “Stand Up 4 Transportation” activities taking place across the country today.

“Simply put, we cannot continue to kick the can down the road on a highway and transit funding bill,” stated Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL‐3). “As the most senior member from Illinois on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and representing a district that is crisscrossed by every mode of private and public transit, I understand the need to pass a comprehensive long‐term bill instead of searching under the federal couch cushions for money every few months to avoid a funding crisis. In the last six years, there have been eleven short‐term extensions. As founding co‐chair of the Congressional Public Transit Caucus, I know what a disaster this has been, especially for transit. We need a fix, not a band‐aid.”

Transit is important to all Chicago area residents. In the region, public transit provides nearly two million rides per day. Recently, Congressman Lipinski worked with Congressman Reid Ribble from Wisconsin to get a bipartisan group of almost 300 members of Congress to come together to call for House Leadership to pass a responsibly paid‐for, multi‐year highway and transit bill.

“Transit in Chicago is about getting people to and from school, work, the doctor, the store, sporting events, church, and countless other daily activities in an affordable, safe, and timely manner,” Rep. Lipinski said. “Advancing transit is not just good for the region, it’s good for the whole country. It’s time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and get to work on a robust bill that provides the level of funding we know our area and our nation need.”

Nearly $34 billion is needed to replace, rehabilitate, and maintain bus and train service in the Chicagoland region. But federal spending on transportation infrastructure has been stagnant and often unpredictable for the past decade.

“The only way to fix our transportation system is by passing a long‐term, robust funding bill,” said Congressman Lipinski. “This will give certainty to transportation planners, especially transit agencies, so that they can make the investments that are needed to move people safely and efficiently every day.”

Chicago Region Stands Up for Transportation Leah Harnack Mass Transit Magazine APR 10, 2015 http://www.masstransitmag.com/media_gallery/12063457/chicago‐stands‐up‐for‐transportation

Highlighting the need for long‐term federal funding for transportation, local public transportation officials, Amtrak and political leaders met in Chicago’s Union Station urging Congress to stand up for transportation and support consistent long‐term funding for the nation's transportation and transit systems.

The press conference focused on Move Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP‐21), which expires on May 31 and the Highway Trust Fund, which will be facing insolvency this summer.

“The RTA is proud to stand unified with the CTA, Metra and Pace in recognizing our need for Congress to pass a sensible, long‐term surface transportation bill that fully funds our region’s and nation’s public transit needs,” said Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard. “The residents of northeastern Illinois deserve reliable and affordable public transit options to get them to work, school, the doctor’s office and everywhere in between.”

He said the model of the fuel tax is outdated and not worth as much when it was started, due to it not keeping up with inflation. “We want Congress to pass a long‐term surface transportation bill that will fund us,” he stated. “We cannot do more with less.”

The RTA’s region’s transit system has been severely underfunded by federal and state resources for many years. The system covers six counties, representing 70 percent of the state’s population and has the second‐largest transit operation in the country by passenger miles traveled, behind New York. Without the needed federal assistance, the region may not be able to make the capital investments required to meet its growing transit needs.

The RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace have taken action to address this capital shortfall on their own, issuing bonds, pursuing other financing tools, implementing fare increases and instituting operational efficiencies. While these actions have offered some support, the magnitude of this challenge makes it impossible for these actions alone to sufficiently address the problem.

“Whether you travel by plane, train or automobile, you rely on a national transportation network built with federal investment in order to get you where you’re going,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D‐IL). “Chicago has one of the finest transportation systems in the nation and we need the resources to maintain it. Long‐term transportation bills used to be an area of bi‐partisan agreement. I hope they'll soon be again. We need a commitment to our transportation network that will create jobs and keep America competitive in the global economy.”

"Simply put, we cannot continue to kick the can down the road on a highway and transit funding bill," said Congressman Dan Lipinski. “As the most senior member from Illinois on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and representing a district that is crisscrossed by every mode of private and public transit, I understand the need to pass a comprehensive long‐term bill instead of searching under the federal couch cushions for money every few months to avoid a funding crisis. In the last six years, there have been eleven short‐term extensions. As founding co‐chair of the Congressional Public Transit Caucus, I know what a disaster this has been for transit. We need a fix, not a band‐aid.”

“As the nation's transportation hub, our transportation infrastructure serves as the backbone of Chicago's economic success. Transit and rail alone generate an estimated $12 billion in annual economic benefits and support 120,000 jobs to the region. But our crumbling infrastructure is slowing economic growth, and without serious long‐term investments in our transportation infrastructure, we simply will not be able to compete in today's global economy." said Congressman Mike Quigley. "As the only Illinois member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to stand in support of a comprehensive long‐term transportation bill that creates jobs, spurs economic growth, and provides States and localities the certainty they need to plan for the future.”

“Investing in transportation and infrastructure is essential to ensuring businesses have the resources they need to thrive,” said Congressman Bill Foster. “While this was an important step to protect the Highway Trust Fund from going bankrupt, and to continue planning for long‐term construction projects, it is critical that we pass a funding bill that addresses our long‐term needs.”

“The importance of transportation infrastructure is something we should all be able to agree on. Better highways, railways and busses mean a quicker morning commute and a more productive workforce," Representative Dold said. "In my hometown area, where we have the third largest manufacturing district in the nation, we need the infrastructure to attract new businesses and support our local companies. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure we pass a robust and long‐term transportation funding bill.”

Rep. Lipinski Helps Lead Push on Funding for Public Transportation Cong. Daniel Lipinski April 9, 2015 https://lipinski.house.gov/transportation/rep‐lipinski‐helps‐lead‐push‐on‐funding‐for‐public‐ transportation‐april‐9‐20151/

At Union Station in Chicago today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL‐3) joined representatives from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace, Amtrak, and other members of the Illinois congressional delegation to push Congress to pass a long‐term bill to fund local and national transportation needs, especially public transportation. The event is one of many “Stand Up 4 Transportation” activities taking place across the country today.

“Transit in Chicago is about getting people to and from school, work, the doctor, the store, sporting events, church, and countless other daily activities in an affordable, safe, and timely manner,” Rep. Lipinski said. “Advancing transit is not just good for the region, it’s good for the whole country. It's time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and get to work on a robust bill that provides the level of funding we know our area and our nation need.”

From the community: Rep. Lipinski Helps Lead Push on Funding for Public Transportation Community Contributor Isaac Sancken Chicago Tribune_LaGrange ‐ The Doings http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/la‐grange/community/chi‐ugc‐article‐rep‐lipinski‐helps‐lead‐ push‐on‐funding‐for‐2‐2015‐04‐09‐story.html

At Union Station in Chicago today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL‐3) joined representatives from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace, Amtrak, and other members of the Illinois congressional delegation to push Congress to pass a long‐term bill to fund local and national transportation needs, especially public transportation. The event is one of many "Stand Up 4 Transportation" activities taking place across the country today.

"Simply put, we cannot continue to kick the can down the road on a highway and transit funding bill," stated Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL‐3). "As the most senior member from Illinois on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and representing a district that is crisscrossed by every mode of private and public transit, I understand the need to pass a comprehensive long‐term bill instead of searching under the federal couch cushions for money every few months to avoid a funding crisis. In the last six years, there have been eleven short‐term extensions. As founding co‐chair of the Congressional Public Transit Caucus, I know what a disaster this has been, especially for transit. We need a fix, not a band‐aid."

"Transit in Chicago is about getting people to and from school, work, the doctor, the store, sporting events, church, and countless other daily activities in an affordable, safe, and timely manner," Rep. Lipinski said. "Advancing transit is not just good for the region, it's good for the whole country. It's time for everyone to roll up their sleeves and get to work on a robust bill that provides the level of funding we know our area and our nation need."

"The only way to fix our transportation system is by passing a long‐term, robust funding bill," said Congressman Lipinski. "This will give certainty to transportation planners, especially transit agencies, so that they can make the investments that are needed to move people safely and efficiently every day."

Reps. Lipinski and Dold Lead Bipartisan Push to Improve Freight Movement Oak Lawn Patch Oak Lawn, IL http://patch.com/illinois/oaklawn/reps‐lipinski‐dold‐lead‐bipartisan‐push‐improve‐freight‐movement

Reps. Dan Lipinski (IL‐3) and Robert Dold (IL‐10) have been joined by a bipartisan group of Illinois members of Congress in asking House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders to include provisions improving the movement of freight in a comprehensive surface transportation bill now being developed. They are looking for the federal government to provide the leadership and resources necessary to ensure a strong national freight network, while also focusing on policies that will help alleviate congestion on the roads.

“The American economy relies on the efficient movement of freight,” said Reps. Lipinski, Dold, and the bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers in a letter. “Businesses rely on complex supply chains to receive inputs and ship outputs to customers; all while minimizing transportation and warehousing costs. As consumers, nearly everything we buy – from food to clothing to electronics and durable goods – arrives via the freight system.”

The United States is home to a vast freight transportation network – over 4 million route‐miles of public roads, almost 140,000 miles of rail, and some 11,000 miles of navigable channels. While many communities are impacted by freight operations, metropolitan areas like Chicagoland play a critical role in managing goods movement. In fact, six of the seven major railroad lines, a quarter of all United States rail traffic, and nearly half of intermodal rail traffic – the big steel boxes that are carried on ships, trains, and trucks – passes through the Chicago region.

“Hubs and gateways in locations such as Chicago are vital for export and import activity and the national movement of freight, but experience highly localized impacts such as congestion, pollution, and community disruption,” said the members in the letter. “With the largest concentrations of people and highly complex transportation systems, these metropolitan areas are closest to the daily impacts and understand the issues that arise from goods movement. As such, it is critical that the next transportation bill prioritize these key freight regions in any new freight program.”

The letter requests that any freight program included in the transportation bill include:

Multi‐modal or Mode‐neutral Funding Eligibility A freight program should allow states, local communities, and regional planning organizations to fund projects that help move goods and people in the most efficient and safe way, regardless of whether they are road, rail, or port projects. It is critical that a rail‐intensive region such as Chicago receives adequate funding so that community issues such as railroad crossings can be addressed to ease congestion and help local communities.

Metropolitan Area Focus Metropolitan areas play a critical role in managing goods movement. These regions are key transportation hubs where bottlenecks can impact the entire country. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) know their local regions best and should be given a key role in planning and programming.

Formula Funding and Metropolitan Regions If a freight program includes a formula component, the metrics used to distribute those funds should recognize the outsized role major metropolitan areas play in our national freight system. Places like Chicago, where we transfer shipments between modes, have the physical capacity to handle large freight volumes, extensive warehousing and logistics centers, and the appropriate skilled workforce to coordinate and manage goods movement.

Competitive Grant Funding Program A freight program should include a competitive grant program that is also funded with contract authority and include wide‐eligibility for projects of all modes, not just highways. The selection process for this program should place an emphasis on complex megaprojects that have significant national and regional economic and quality of life benefits, such as the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE).

Illinois public transit to Congress: We need your support Letter to the Editor Capital Gazette April 10, 2015

In the coming weeks, Congress will debate the future of the federal programs that fund the nation’s transportation infrastructure. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act expires on May 31, and the Highway Trust Fund will start teetering on insolvency this summer. Congress has yet to address either.

Our public transportation agencies depend on federal funding to keep our transit systems, roads, bridges and rail lines in working order. Long‐term legislation, coupled with robust, sustainable funding, is vital to allowing transit agencies to plan for the future.

The RTA’s regional transit system covers six counties, representing 70 percent of the state’s population, and has the second‐largest transit operation in the country by passenger miles traveled, behind only New York’s. Simply put, without federal assistance, it may not be possible for our region’s transit agencies to make the capital investments required to meet growing transit needs.

The RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace have taken actions to address this capital shortfall on their own. They have issued bonds and pursued other financing tools, implemented fare increases and instituted operational efficiencies, but the magnitude of the need makes it impossible for those actions alone to sufficiently address the problem.

Our system has been underfunded by federal and state resources for many years, resulting in a major challenge for the decade ahead. The federal funds for capital improvements to public transportation that the region will receive over the next 10 years are estimated to be between $486 million and $612 million annually. That is about half of what will be needed to assure that the region’s capital backlog does not grow. In addition, the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program requires additional federal funds to invest in critically needed improvements to increase the efficiency of the region’s passenger and freight rail infrastructure.