By Ron Thaniel
October 7, 2002

Spotlighting transportation security and investment and linking that to the strength of the nation's metropolitan economies, a team of mayors held meetings with key senators, all leaders in national transportation policy.

Mayors visiting Congress included Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth L. Barr joined by Long Beach Mayor Beverly O-Neill, North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, Rome Mayor Joseph A. Griffo, Orlando Mayor Glenda E. Hood, Burlington Mayor Peter A. Clavelle, Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory, Reno Mayor Jeff Griffin, and Carmel Mayor James Brainard. This delegation met with Vermont Senator James M. Jeffords, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Washington Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Senator Hutchinson is the Ranking Member on the Aviation Subcommittee of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and on the Appropriations Committee.

"America has spent hundreds of billions of dollars building, improving, and repairing our massive highway transportation system. I will push for a similar revitalization of our rail system. We need a modern rail equivalent to our highways," said Senator Jeffords. He was responding to the mayors' request for greater transportation investment in freight, commuter and passenger rail by the federal government.

On the issue of increased suballocation of highway and transit money and decision making in the reauthorization of TEA-21 to local government, Senator Jeffords stated that, "I understand that regional needs vary — which is why the new law must embrace flexibility and local decision-making."

Addressing aviation security and Amtrak funding, Senator Murray committed to the mayors that she would fight to reimburse cities and airports in full for the cost they have incurred meeting aviation security mandates since September 11, 2001 and would work to get Amtrak $1.2 billion for fiscal year 2003 thus maintaining a national passenger rail system. In addition, Senator Murray voice strong support for S. 1991, The National Rail Defense Act, as Amtrak's reauthorization bill.

Senator Hutchison voice strong support for Amtrak stating, "We must find a way for Amtrak to achieve long-term financial security through a dedicated funding source similar to the way we fund highways and aviation transportation."

Senator Hutchison further stated, "We cannot possibly judge Amtrak unless we give them reliable service that would give us fair criteria. But to think we are going to do it on an operationally self'sufficient basis is ludicrous. We are not. No country in the world does. We are going to have to give it a stable revenue base and then hold the officers and board accountable for knowing how to run a railroad. I think it is time we do all these things and keep the commitment to having rail service in our country."

The mayors were joined by U.S. Conference of Mayors Business Council Co-chairs Howlie R. Davis, Senior Vice President and Director of Local Government Affairs for CH2M HILL which is a global project delivery company and Howard Menaker, Manager of Public Affairs for Bechtel. Bechtel provides premier technical management and directly related services to develop, manage, engineer, build and operate installations worldwide.