** Action Requested **
Time is running short for Congress to take action on a multi-year highway and transit reauthorization bill. SAFETEA-LU authorization expired on September 30, 2009 and the program has been operating under short term extensions ever since. In addition, the Highway Trust Fund is depleted and infusions of general fund revenue have been needed for it to meet its obligations. Members of Congress will be home next week for the Fourth of July recess and also in August. This is an excellent time to make them aware of the impact this lack of action by Congress is having on your state's highway construction program. AGC and our Transportation Construction Coalition partners have created a grassroots toolkit for your use in discussing this issue with your Senators and Representatives, urging them to pass a long-term, well-funded surface transportation bill when they return to Washington. You may access the grassroots toolkit by clicking here. http://transportationconstructioncoalition.org/grass-roots-kit.htm Materials include:- Information about the pending highway and transit funding crisis
- Background on the surface transportation legislation and its current status
- Talking points on why Congress needs to act on highway legislation
- List of key questions to ask members of Congress about their support for fixing traffic, improving road conditions and safety
- Instructions on how to arrange meetings with members of Congress in the home district, attend local town halls
- State by state TRIP fact sheets about local highway funding needs
- Traffic congestion information from the Texas Transportation Institute
- Tips for contacting members of Congress by letter or email