ARTBA Federal Issues Program & 2008 Transportation Construction
Coalition Washington Fly-In

Brochure:	Event Brochure
Registration:	Fax/Print Registration Form
	Online Form
Program	Program of Events
Sponsors:	Sponsorship Form
Dates:	May 19-21, 2008
Location:	The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
	Make your room reservations directly with the The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill by calling 1-800-233-1234 or 202-737-1234. The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill is located at 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Please note the April 21st room rate cutoff has now past and the Hyatt is sold out. Click for backup Hotels.

Dear Transportation Construction Industry Executive:

Leo Vecellio

In about 18 months, the current federal highway/transit law, SAFETEA-LU, expires.

With the January release of a General Accountability Office report noting the lack of a national freight strategy and the 258-page National Surface Transportation Policy & Revenue Study Commission report containing its extensive recommendations about future transportation financing options, one thing is clear: the battle over the next highway/transit investment bill has begun.

But, SAFETEA-LU is not the only transportation issue on the congressional agenda in 2008. Also on tap, the:

1) Highway Trust Fund's Solvency. Steps have to be taken to shore up the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund's Highway Account to prevent a potential $13.7 billion cut in federal funding to the states later this year.

2) FY 2009 Transportation Appropriations Bill. President Bush is proposing significant cuts to the federal highway, transit and airport programs. Congress will likely resist such a move.

3) Aviation Bill. Congress and the President will also be working to complete action on a long-term aviation bill, which increases airport construction program funding. The law, VISION 100, expired in 2007 and has been operating under short-term extensions.

These are the tough challenges we face, but they should also be viewed as opportunities for transportation design and construction professionals to take an active leadership role in shaping the industry's future. You can get involved by coming to Washington May 19-21 for the 2008 ARTBA Federal Issues Program (FIP) and Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In.

You will meet directly with your congressional delegations to lobby them on the need to significantly boost transportation investment. These visits offer an appropriate forum to share ARTBA's legislative proposals for the next highway/transit bill, and highlight the benefits of the association's “Critical Commerce Corridors” freight mobility initiative.

The ARTBA FIP will also feature division and committee meetings, and briefings by U.S. DOT and other agency officials.

Your commitment of time as one of ARTBA's “grassroots foot soldiers” is critical to our industry's ability to successfully push a pro-transportation investment agenda. So, get in the game and be prepared to take the field May 19-21!