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In the Spotlight

Coalition Calls on Congress to Support American Goods Movement Network
As House-Senate negotiations continue on the surface transportation authorization bill, the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (Coalition) applauds conferees for their dedication and encourages their support of freight policy and program funding in the Senate’s proposal, MAP-21. The Senate proposal addresses America’s freight needs by calling for a national freight policy, establishing a national freight program with dedicated funding for freight projects, and through preservation of the Projects of National and Regional Significance (PNRS) program, which provides authorization for a competitive grant program for multimodal mega-projects.

Encourage Bill Conferees to Provide for Freight - CAGTC Provides Template Letter  As the bill conferees gather to develop surface transportation authorization language, it is important to remind them that providing for freight is critical to supporting our nation's burgeoning economy. CAGTC has developed a template letter of support for organizations to customize and mail to bill conferees. Click here to download the letter.

29 Members of Congress Sign Letter In Support of PNRS Program
On June 23rd, 29 Members of Congress sent a letter to leadership on the Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee voicing their support for fully funding the Projects of National and Regional Significance (PNRS) program in the next Surface Transportation Authorization. The letter, led by Representatives Schmidt and Nadler of the T&I Committee and representatives Davis and Blumenauer of the Ways & Means Committee, called funding the PNRS program "critical to U.S. productivity and global competitiveness." The letter gained support from a geographically diverse, bipartisan group of new and standing Members, demonstrating the wide spread support for the program. 
CAGTC Testifies at 3/29/11 Highways & Transit Subcommittee Hearing
The Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's Highways and Transi Subcommittee. The theme for the hearing was "Improving and Reforming the Nation's Surface Transportation Programs."
In remarks before the Subcommittee, CAGTC Chairman Mort Downey state “A truly strategic freight mobility program would serve the economic needs of our country in the near term and for generations to come by investment decisions that optimize freight mobility and support economic expansion and continually improving standards of living."

Mr. Downey reiterated the Coalition's call for federal leadership and guidance on freight policy and stressed the importance for Congress to make a functioning, efficient, multimodal freight system a high priority in the next surface transportation authorization bill.

Read CAGTC's full written testimony here.
CAGTC Freight Talking Points
The Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors has developed freight talking points that can be incorporated into testimony or comments being prepared for the upcoming House T&I Hearings and Listening Sessions. They're also great for presentations and meetings!
Download them here!
THE FREIGHT ACT OF 2011

THE FOCUSING RESOURCES, ECONOMIC INVESTMENT, AND GUIDANCE TO HELP TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2011

 

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

CAGTC Exec. Director Named to Department of Commerce Advisory Committee

29 Members Sign Letter Supporting PNRS 

CAGTC Chairman Testifies at T&I Hearing


THE FOCUSING RESOURCES, ECONOMIC INVESTMENT, AND GUIDANCE TO HELP TRANSPORTATION ACT OF 2011

• S. 371: Introduced on February 16, 2011, by Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

• HR. 1338: Introduced April 1, 2011, by Representatives Albio Sires (D-NJ), Earl Blumenaeuer (D-OR), Steve Cohen (D-TN), and Adam Smith (D-WA)

The FREIGHT Act of 2011 is a major shift in national transportation policy to support economic growth with targeted investment in efficient, clean, multimodal infrastructure for the movement of goods.

This landmark legislation defines the federal government’s role in freight transportation policy and planning, instructing US DOT to develop a strategic plan for investing in the country’s goods movement infrastructure.

In addition, it calls for the creation of a new National Freight Infrastructure Investments Grant program to fund projects prioritized through merit-based criteria that substantiate national significance.

The FREIGHT Act of 2011 amends Chapter 3 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code.

THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ISSUED STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT FOR THE FREIGHT ACT:

  • Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors
  • American Association of Port Authorities - Statement
  • icon_green_cChicago Department of Transportation -
  • icon_green_cThe City of Industry, California -
  • Environmental Defense Fund - Statement
  • Intelligent Transportation Society of America - Statement
  • icon_green_cOregon Department of Transportation -
  • icon_green_cOregon Department of Transportation, Encouraging Members to Cosponsor -
  • Southern California's Transportation and Port Agencies (including 8 CAGTC members) -
  • Transportation for America - Statement
  • Washington State DOT Secretary Hammond and Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe
icon_green_cDenotes CAGTC Member
HOUSE COSPONSORS SENATE COSPONSORS

Rep. Sires (D-NJ) *Sponsor

Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) *Original Cosponsor

Rep. Cohen (D-TN) *Original Cosponsor

Rep. DeFazio (D-OR)

Rep. Ellison (D-MN)

Rep. Larsen (D-WA)

Rep. Napolitano (D-CA)

Rep. A. Smith (D-WA) *Original Cosponsor

Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ) *Sponsor

Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) *Original Cosponsor

Sen. Murray (D-WA) *Original Cosponsor

 

 

 

 

 

 
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