Congressman Dave Camp Congressman Sander M. Levin Chairman Ranking Member Committee on Ways and Means
Committee on Ways and Means
1102 Longworth House Office Building
1139E Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Washington, D.C.
20515
Re: Surface Transportation Finance and the Highway Trust Fund
Dear Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin:
For the past thirty years, Congress has provided dedicated funding for highway and transit programs through an excise tax on gasoline dedicated to the Highway Trust Fund. This funding structure has successfully provided highway and transit programs with secure, dedicated revenues and budgetary firewalls dating back to the Reagan administration. The success of this approach is without question: The Trust Fund has been critical to our nation’s ability to build an efficient and multimodal transportation system. With record transit ridership, now is not the time to eliminate guaranteed funding for our nation’s public transportation systems, which saved Americans close to $19 billion in congestion costs in 2009. For the first time in thirty years, the pending legislation H.R. 3864, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Financing Act, removes the certainty of a continued revenue source for our transit systems as well as the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program.
Specifically, we are deeply concerned about the provision in H.R. 3864 that would terminate funding from the excise tax on gasoline and replace it with the Alternative Transportation Account. In place of gasoline tax revenues, the legislation would provide a one-‐time $40 billion transfer of General Fund revenues to the Alternative Transportation Account. Not only is this level of funding insufficient to fully fund the proposed authorized levels for the Alternative Transportation Account, but it would subject transit and CMAQ funding to the annual appropriations process. This change will make it impossible for public transit systems across the country to plan for the future. It will also make it impossible for the FTA to honor grant agreements.
In addition, this legislation does not make clear how the $40 billion in General Fund revenues will be offset in the U.S. budget. As a result of this funding gap, we are concerned that the $40 billion general revenue transfer may not occur leaving transit programs out in the cold.
We strongly encourage the Committee to reject H.R. 3864 and work to continue to fund highway and transit programs through dedicated funding.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Melaniphy President & CEO American Public Transportation Association
John Robert Smith President and CEO Reconnecting America
Joyce A. Rogers Senior Vice President, Government Affairs AARP
Jeff Miller President / CEO Alliance for Biking & Walking
Jeff Rosenberg Legislative Director Amalgated Transit Union
Caron Whitaker Campaign Director America Bikes
Kristy Anderson Government Relations Manager American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
Andrew Goldberg Managing Director, Gov't Relations American Institute of Architects
Jason Jordan Director of Policy & Government Affairs American Planning Association
Don Hoppert Director, Government Relations American Public Health Association (APHA)
James Corless Director Transportation for America
Geoff Anderson President & CEO Smart Growth America
Brian Pallasch, CAE Managing Director, Government Relations & Infrastructure Initiatives American Society of Civil Engineers
Richard Eidlin Policy Director American Sustainable Business Council
Brian Shaw President Association for Commuter Transportation
Billy Altom Executive Director Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL)
Marcia L Hale President Building America's Future
Mike Kruglik Executive Director Building One America
Steve Winkelman Director, Transportation Program Center for Clean Air Policy
Tim Marema Vice President Center for Rural Strategies
Margo Wootan Director, Nutrition Policy Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment
Stewart Schwartz Executive Director Coalition for Smarter Growth
Scott Bogren Communications Director Community Transportation Association of America
John Norquist President Congress for the New Urbanism
Michael A. Spotts Policy Analyst Enterprise Community Partners
John Cross Federal Transportation Advocate Environment America
Ana Garcia-‐Ashley Executive Director Gamaliel
Phaedra Ellis-‐Lamkins CEO Green For All
Paul Weech Executive Vice President for Policy and Member Engagement Housing Partnership Network
Michael Replogle Global Policy Director and Founder Institute for Transportation & Development Policy
Fred McLuckie Legislative Director International Brotherhood of Teamsters
David T. Downey President/CEO International Downtown Association
Just Transition Alliance
Peter Notarstefano Director of Home and Community-‐ Based Services LeadingAge
Andrew Clarke President League of American Bicyclists
Sara Chieffo Legislative Director League of Conservation Voters
Niel Ritchie Executive Director League of Rural Voters
Christopher Coes Director LOCUS: Reponsible Real Estate Developers and Investors
Ron Thaniel Executive Director National Association of City Transportation Officials
Bob Fogel Senior Legislative Director National Association of Counties
Eli Briggs Govt Affairs Director National Association of County & City Health Officials
Sean Jeans-‐Gail Vice President National Association of Railroad Passengers
Darren Smith Policy Representative; Smart Growth and State & Local Issues National Association of Realtors
Mark Plotz Conference Director National Center for Bicycling & Walking
Melissa Merson Executive Director National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
National Economic and Social Rights Initiative
Ethan Handelman Vice President for Policy and Advocacy National Housing Conference
Michael Bodaken Executive Director National Housing Trust
Leslie Wollack Program Director National League of Cities
Sheila Crowley president and ceo National Low Income Housing Coalition
Chuck Baker President National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association
Madura Wijewardena (on behalf of the CEO, Marc Morial) Director, Research & Policy National Urban League Policy Institute
Robert H. McNulty President Partners for Livable Communities
Leslie Moody Executive Director Partnership for Working Families
Anita Hairston Senior Associate PolicyLink
Virginia Lee Program Manager Prevention Institute
Tyson Slocum Director, Energy Program Public Citizen
Kevin Mills Vice President of Policy and Trail Development Rails-‐to-‐Trails Conservancy
Margo Pedroso Deputy Director Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Jesse Prentice-‐Dunn Washington Representative Sierra Club
Stephan Kline Associate vice president The Jewish Federations of North America
KJ Hertz The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
Portia White Director, Political Department Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-‐CIO
Laura Barrett Executive Director Transportation Equity Network
Bryan Howard
Legislative Director
U.S. Green Building Council
Andy Kunz President & CEO U.S. High Speed Rail Association
Peter Lehner, Executive Director Natural Resources Defense Council
Janet F. Kavinoky Executive Director, Transportation & Infrastructure, Vice President, Americans for Transportation Mobility United States Chamber of Commerce
Phineas Baxandall Senior Analyst for Tax and Budget Policy United States Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG)
Leo Gerard President United Steelworkers
Heidi Guenin Transportation Policy Coordinator Upstream Public Health
James Engelhardt Director, Affordable Housing Development Volunteers of America
The Honorable Governor John Kitzhaber Governor of Oregon
The Honorable Governor Christine Gregoire Governor of Washington
State, Local, and Regional Organizations and Officials
SOUTHEAST James Dickey
Executive Director Trip Pollard Arizona Transit Association Director, Land and Community Program Fountain Hills, AZ Southern Environmental Law Center
Tom Finnerty Equity and Inclusion Campaign Executive Committee Member AL, MS, LA ASREA
Phoenix, AZ ARKANSAS
Caroline Tillman John Squires President CEO Associated Right of Way, LLC Community Resource Group,Inc Glendale, AZ Fayetteville, AR
Scott Reynolds Jeff Mansker Senior Project Manager Para-‐Transit Coordinator Blood Systems Inc. Jonesboro Economical Transportation Scottsdale, AZ System
Jonesboro, AR Mike James
Transit Services Director ARIZONA City of Mesa
Mesa, AZ Rose Arck
President The Honorable Mayor Greg Stanton ACS Realty Services City of Phoenix Phoenix, AZ Phoenix, AZ
Diane Brown Lisa Williams Executive Director President Arizona Public Interest Research Group Excellence by Design
Phoenix, AZ
Chris Wass Founder Firefly Real Estate LLC Phoenix, AZ
David Schwartz Executive Director Friends of Transit Phoenix, AZ
Gregory A Walker Vice President Huitt-‐Zollars Phoenix, AZ
Rhonda Bannard Founder and Chief Connector Inspired Connections Phoenix, AZ
Jonce Walker Sustainability Manager Maricopa County Phoenix, AZ Walt Gray Coordinator Merchants for a Better Maryvale Phoenix, AZ
Gwynn Simpson CEO Phoenix Rising Consultants-‐HCD Chandler, AZ
Edward Jensen Co-‐chair, Executive Committee SideWalk Phoenix Phoenix, AZ
Steve Banta CEO Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (METRO light rail) Phoenix, AZ
CALIFORNIA
Will Wright Director, Government & Public Affairs AIA Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
Mary King Interim General Manager Alameda-‐Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) Oakland, CA
Arnold Luft Principal ARUP Los Angeles, CA
Hugh Saurenman President ATS Consulting Pasadena, CA
Paul Steinberg Director of Americas Avego San Jose, CA
Andy Katz Government Relations Director Breathe California Daly City, CA
Neal Richman Director of Programs and Advocacy Breathe California of Los
Angeles County Los Angeles, CA
Bus Riders Union Los Angeles, CA
Matt Schwartz President & CEO California Housing Partnership Corporation San Francisco, CA
Ruben Cantu Program Director California Pan-‐Ethnic Health Network Oakland, Sacramento, CA
Jon Fox CalPIRG Consumer Advocate California Public Interest Research Group
Wendy Alfsen Executive Director California WALKS Berkeley, CA
Betsy Reifsnider Environmental Justice Director Catholic Charities, Diocese of Stockton Stockton, CA
Reyna Villalobos Community Lead Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program Madera, CA
Kenneth Grimes Executive Director CHCDC San Diego, CA
Rick Hutchinson CEO City CarShare San Francisco, CA
Kristin Sherwood CSC City of Beaumont Beaumont, CA
Nelson D. Nelson City Engineer City of Corona Public Works Department Corona, CA
Brian Champion Transportation Planning Manager City of Corona Transit Service Corona, CA
The Honorable Mayor Ashley Swearengin City of Fresno Fresno, CA
The Honorable Mayor Jean Quan City of Oakland Oakland, CA
Virginia Field Vice President Clean Air Now Riverside, CA
Jonathan Parfrey Executive Director Climate Resolve Los Angeles, CA
Martin Schlageter Campaign Director Coalition for Clean Air
Eva Inbar Board member Coalition for Sustainable Transportation Santa Barbara, CA
Michael Chiacos Transportation Specialist Community Environmental Council Santa Barbara, CA
Victor Griego President Diverse Strategies for Organizing, Inc. Los Angeles, CA
Lars Clutterham Partner downeygreen Downey, CA
Cheryl Dye Principal Dye & Assoc San Diego, CA
Dave Campbell Program Director East Bay Bicycle Coalition Oakland, CA
Michael Fitts Staff Attorney Endangered Habitats League Santa Monica, CA
Heather Hood Director of Programs, Northern California Enterprise Community Partners San Francisco, CA
David Dutchen Area Sales Manager Enterprise Rideshare Carson, CA
Matthew Baker Habitat Director Environmental Council of Sacramento Sacramento, CA
Hilary Norton Executive Director FAST -‐ Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic Los Angeles, CA
Matt Henry President/CEO Fehr & Peers California
Jack Swearengen Chair Friends of SMART Santa Rosa, CA
Stephanie Taylor Interim Executive Director Green LA Coalition Los Angeles, CA
Stephanie Reyes Policy Director Greenbelt Alliance California
Maria E. Pacheco Consultant Head West Inc. Compton, CA
Ginger Hitzke President Hitzke Development Corporation San Marcos, CA
Johnny O'Kane Business Agent Ironworkers Los Angeles, CA
Jose A. Naranjo Business Manager/Financial Secretary-‐ Treasurer Ironworkers Local Union 229 San Diego, CA
Jackelyn Cornejo Senior Research/Policy Analyst Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) Los Angeles, CA
Jessica Duboff Public Policy Manager Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Los Angeles, CA
Alexis Lantz Planning & Policy Director Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition Los Angeles, CA
Deborah Murphy Founder Los Angeles Walks Los Angeles, CA
Corey Carlisle Director, Federal Policy and Government Affairs Low Income Investment Fund San Francisco, CA
Andy Peri Advocacy Director Marin County Bicycle Coalition Fairfax, CA Steve Heminger Executive Director Metropolitan Transportation Commission San Francisco, CA
Carl Sedoryk General Manager / CEO Monterey-‐Salinas Transit District Monterey, CA, CA
Denny Zane Executive Director Move LA Los Angeles , CA
Elyse Lowe Executive Director
Move San Diego San Diego, CA
Jennifer Kalt Secretary Northcoast Environmental Center Arcata, CA
Bruce Reznik Executive Director Planning and Conservation League Sacramento, CA
Guillermo Mayer Senior Staff Attorney Public Advocates Inc. San Francisco, CA
Anthony Hernandez Transportation Planner RBF Consulting California
Anna Maria Havens Systems Change Advocate Resources for Independence Central Valley Fresno, CA
Eric Ustation Government Affairs Representative Riverside Transit Agency Riverside, CA
John Smatlak President RPR Consulting Los Angeles, CA
Ryan Snyder President Ryan Snyder Associates California
Kendra Bridges Land Use Policy Director Sacramento Housing Alliance Sacramento, CA
Chris Morfas Legislative Liaison Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Sacramento, CA
Evan McLaughlin Political and Legislative Director San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-‐CIO San Diego, CA
Jim Lazarus Seniorr Vice President San Francisco Chamber of Commerce San Francisco, CA
Krute Singa Manager, TDM Programs San Francisco Department of the Environment San Francisco, CA
Edward D. Reiskin Director of San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency San Francisco, CA
Howard Strassner Secretary Save Muni California
Kate Breen Government Affairs Manager SFMTA San Francisco, CA
Steven Frisch President Sierra Business Council Truckee, CA
Paul Zimmerman Executive Director Southern Califirnia Assoc. of Non-‐Profit Housing
John Rosenthal President Southpaw Communications Santa Monica, CA
Egon Terplan Regional Planning Director SPUR San Francisco, CA
Arthur J. Hadnett Vice President -‐ Transportation Stantec Northridge, CA
Greg Bashem Worker Representative/Political Coordinator/Volunteer Organizer/Delegate IBT, JC 42, L.A.-‐O.C Building Trades, L.A. County Federation of Labor/ Metal Trades Council Teamsters Local 986 South El Monte, CA
Bart Reed Executive Director The Transit Coalition San Fernando, CA
Patrick Merrick Executive Vice-‐President
Tolar Manufacturing Company Inc Corona, CA
Gary Tolar Owner Tolar Mfg. Co Inc. Corona, CA
Bart Reed Executive Director Train Riders Association of California (TRAC) San Fernando, CA
Stuart Cohen Executive Director TransForm Oakland, CA
Francisca Porchas National Coordinator Transit Riders for Public Transportation Los Angeles, CA
David A Raley Chairman Transportation NOW Moreno Valley , CA Ernestine Bonn Treasurer UHCDC San Diego, CA
Bob Allen Transportation Justice Program Director Urban Habitat Oakland, CA
Michael Cassadine Director Voice for the People Los Angeles, CA Victor H. Spencer National Account Executive VPSI Sacramento, CA
Jonathan Bair Board President Walk Oakland Bike Oakland Oakland, CA
Terry Preston Complete Streets Coordnator WALKSacramento 95814-‐2920, CA
James Stone Executive Director WalkSanDiego San Diego, CA
Charles Anderson General Manager Western Contra Costa Transit Authority Pinole, CA
Jerard Wright Director Wright Concept California Jeremy Merz Policy Advocate California Chamber of Commerce
Ron Sundergill Sr. Director, Pacific Region National Parks Conservation Association San Francisco, California
COLORADO
Audrey DeBarros Executive Director 36 Commuting Solutions Louisville, CO
Deven Meininger Multi Modal Specialist City of Durango Durango, CO
Alice Laird Executive Director Clean Energy Economy for the Region Carbondale, CO
Danny Katz State Director Colorado Public Interest Research Group
Brad Weinig TOD Program Director Enterprise Community Partners Denver, CO
Helen Bushnell Owner Train Star Lakewood, CO
Kathleen Osher Executive Director Transit Alliance Denver, CO
CONNECTICUT
Nichole Strack Executive Director 1000 Friends of Connecticut Hartford, CT
MaryEllen Thibodeau President Bike Walk Connecticut
Debra Greenwood CEO/President Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County Bridgeport, CT
Mary Tomolonius Executive Director Connecticut Association for Community Transportation Canton, CT
Molly
McKay Transportation Chair Connecticut Chapter of Sierra Club Mystic, CT
Lori Brown Executive Director Connecticut League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Hartford, CT
Mark Abraham Steering Committee Member Connecticut Livable Streets Campaign