ATU Action Weekly Update - 06/05/2006

• ATU Massachusetts Legislative Counsel Moving Forward
• Appropriations Bill Includes $200 Million for Transit and Rail Security
• Senate Committees Introduce Joint Transportation Security Bill
• Are You - or Do You Know - an ATU Member in or Seeking Public Office?

At a meeting on June 4, the ATU Massachusetts Legislative Council voted to support the Commonwealth's cross-endorsement or "fusion voting" initiative, which will appear on the ballot this November.  The cross-endorsement process allows two or more parties to nominate the same candidate on separate ballot lines.  For example, the same candidate can be listed as the Democratic Candidate and as the Working Families Party Candidate. 

Candidates' vote totals on each ballot line are added together to determine the overall winner.  While votes count equally toward their total, votes on so-called minor party lines can send a more specific message about the importance of the issues that matter most to working families.  This process, which is currently available in only two states, encourages Democratic and Republican candidates to address the issues of minority parties in an effort to secure endorsements.  In recent years, the existence of fusion voting has helped labor-friendly candidates win some razor-thin races.

In other action, the Council reported on its recent lobby day at the State Capitol in which it urged lawmakers to pass legislation that would reserve up to $90 million in excess registry fees for the Commonwealth's regional transit authorities.  This long overdue legislation would finally offer more transportation options outside the Greater Boston area for transit-dependent people and for those who would rather leave their automobiles at home.

Appropriations Bill Includes $200 Million for Transit and Rail Security

The House is expected to complete consideration of the FY 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill (H.R. 5441) this week.  On May 25th, prior to the Memorial Day recess, the House agreed to an amendment that increased funding for transit and passenger rail grants by $50 million, raising the total funding in the bill for these programs to $200 million.  The amendment, which was sponsored by Representatives Peter Lynch (D-MA), Ruch Holt (D-NJ) and Michael Castle (R-DE), was approved by a 225-197 vote, with bipartisan support of 183 Democrats and 41 Republicans.  To see how your member voted, go to http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll216.xml.

The original version of the bill as reported out of the House Appropriations Committee contained only $150 million for transit and passenger rail security grants, the same amount appropriated in the FY 2005 and FY 2006.

The bill also includes $10 million for intercity bus security grants.  The ATU will continue to monitor the progress of this bill and will work to ensure that both transit and intercity bus security concerns are addressed.

Senate Committees Introduce Joint Transportation Security Bill

Shortly before the Memorial Day recess, the leadership of the Senate's Banking and Commerce Committees introduced a broad authorization bill for transportation security.  The measure, S. 2791, combines the port, cargo and rail security provisions of the Senate Commerce Committee's S. 1052 and the transit security provisions of the Banking Committee's S. 2032.  Over the next three fiscal years, the bill authorizes $3.5 billion for transit security and $1.2 billion for rail security.

Unfortunately, the new bill does not include provisions from S. 1052 which would authorize $150 million over three years for over-the-road bus security grants.  The ATU is actively working along with the intercity bus industry to have these provisions included in the Banking and Commerce Committees' joint bill.

Are You - or Do You Know - an ATU Member in or Seeking Public Office?

The list is growing longer!  See below for a list of ATU members who have been elected or appointed to a public office, or who are currently seeking public office.

The ATU is actively encouraging its members to seek public office.  With ATU members making decisions, we know our voice will be heard. 

If you have been elected or appointed to a public office, or are currently seeking election to office - or if you know of another ATU member who is in or seeking public office, please let us know by emailing atuaction@atu.org.

Congratulations to the following ATU members:

Darrold Heyward, President/Business Agent of ATU Local 610 in Charleston, South Carolina, is a member of the Transportation Advisory Board appointed by the Charleston County Council.  The Advisory Board makes recommendations to the Council on how to spend transportation funds. 

Ausborn J. Starling, Jr., former officer of ATU Local 1235 in Nashville, Tennessee, has been appointed to the Davidson County Tennessee Election Commission.

Charles V. (Bud) Seagraff, retired President of ATU Local 1235 in Nashville, Tennessee, serves as the election inspector for State Representative District 59 in Davidson County Tennessee.

Stephen Fein, Financial Secretary of ATU Local 1447 in Louisville, Kentucky, is an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Louisville and Jefferson County Democratic Party and Chairman for the 44th Legislative District.

Bob Bartlett, a member and former President/Business Agent of ATU Local 788 in St. Louis, Missouri, is currently running for his former office as Missouri State Representative for the 60th District.  His election will be on November 7, 2006.

Ted Mohr, a Retired Member of ATU Local 587 in Seattle, Washington, is a Precinct Committee Officer for the Democratic Party in Whatcom County, Washington. 

Karl Cook, a Member of ATU Local 241 in Chicago, Illinois, is currently running for a position as a Cook County Commissioner.  His election will be on November 7, 2006. 

Daniel Kozub, a Member of ATU Local 1342 in Buffalo, New York, was elected to the Erie County Legislature on November 8, 2005.