As discussion in Washington, D.C. begins in earnest on a new transportation bill, one of the League's national partners in transportation advocacy, "Transportation For America", has begun a new campaign designed to raise awareness on the need for a long-term solution to our country's transportation infrastructure problems.
With the goal of making the entire transportation system work better and be more efficient and cost effective, the "Fix it for America" campaign will focus on "making it work", "making it safe", and "make it accountable".
At a recent workshop held in Washington by T4A in Washington that I attended, USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood noted that the Obama administration has already put forth a comprehensive proposal that would provide $550 billion over 6 years including $53 billion for high-speed inter-city rail. Secretary LaHood said that transportation projects are about economic opportunity by creating jobs for today and investing in tomorrow.
The League strongly supports both state and federal efforts at "fixing it first" and making investments in the entire transportation network. We'll be working with T4A, the National League of Cities and others to get the best bill possible.
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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