What the Candidates Had to Say About Transit

With the tragedy of the bridge collapse fresh in the everyone's mind, the first questions posed at the AFL-CIO forum focused on the need to rebuild and repair our nation's infrastructure.  In response to these questions, only two of the Democratic Presidential candidates, Senator Hillary Clinton and Governor Bill Richardson, made direct references to investing in mass transit. 

Specifically, Senator Clinton had the following to say:

"We have to make investments in infrastructure....This will create jobs, not only if we once again focus on our bridges, our tunnels, our ports, our airport, our mass transit - - it will put millions of people to work -- but it is also part of homeland security."

Responding to a similar question, Governor Richardson said:

"We have to start thinking about new infrastructure in America.  We have to start thinking about making sure we have strong land use policies, smart growth.  The government should be a partner with the states and localities in building commuter rail, light rail, new forms of transportation besides repairing our highways and our bridges."

Senator Biden also made reference to mass transit when he spoke about the need to repair tunnels on the East Coast, including subway tunnels in New York City.

AFL-CIO Holds Off on 2008 Primary Endorsement - For Now

Following its Presidential Forum attended by 17,000 union members, the AFL-CIO Executive Council last Wednesday chose to hold off making an endorsement of a single candidate for President.

The 47-member top leadership body, which includes ATU International President Warren S. George, left the door open for an endorsement at a later date, leaving each of the AFL-CIO's 55 unions free to make its own primary endorsement. 

"The issues affecting our nation's working families took front and center (stage) last night," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.  "We will make absolutely sure that the spotlight remains on working people's concerns, like good jobs, affordable health care, and the freedom to join and form unions to improve their lives."

Rather than endorsing at this time, the Executive Council pledged that unions "will focus on preparations for the greatest involvement ever by working voters in the crucial 2008 elections." In 2006, the AFL-CIO's massive union mobilization proved key to shifting the balance of power in Congress when it mobilized more than 13.6 million voters in 32 states. In recent national elections, one in four voters have been union household members.

Clinton's "Rebuild America Plan" Promotes Transit Investment

Just one day after the AFL-CIO's Presidential Forum, where she advocated for transit investment, Senator Clinton released an infrastructure investment plan, entitled "Rebuild America Plan".  The plan was largely in response to the tragedy of the interstate highway bridge collapse in Minnesota. 

Senator Clinton's plan goes beyond bridge repair, underscoring the importance of building and restoring our nation’s public transportation infrastructure.  According to Clinton, "[i]ncreased public transit usage is arguably the best strategy for ameliorating the energy and environmental costs of transportation." The Senator’s "Rebuild America Plan" would increase federal funding for public transit by $1.5 billion per year in order to ensure needed capacity expansions and service level improvements.  In addition, the Rebuild America Plan proposes linking federal public transit funds to local land use policies that encourage residential developments that maximize public transit usage.

To read more about Clinton's Rebuild America Plan, click here.

Oberstar Responds to Minnesota Bridge Tragedy

It's not just the presidential candidates who are floating proposals in response to the tragedy in Minnesota.  Numerous Members of Congress, including  U.S. Representative James Oberstar (D-MN/8th), have already responded with calls for increased funding for bridges, roads and transit. 

Oberstar's National Bridge Plan proposal includes a comprehensive program to repair the nation’s structurally deficient bridges. Oberstar, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, noted that there are more than 73,000 bridges in the country that have been rated "structurally deficient." The plan would provide dedicated funding for the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of bridges.

Of course, funding for Oberstar's proposal and any other transportation infrastructure initiatives would require increased revenues. However, in response to bi-partisan calls for more spending for roads, bridges, and transit, President Bush last week stated that he did not see the need to increase the federal gas tax, which has not been raised since 1993. Mr. Bush said, "[b]efore we raise taxes, which could affect economic growth, I would strongly urge the Congress to examine how they set priorities."

Transit Funding Bill Passes House

On July 24, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations (THUD) bill in a 268-153 vote.  The bill provides $9.7 billion for federal transit programs in FY 2008, the full amount authorized in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).  If enacted, it would be an increase of $756 million or 8.4% over current levels.