November 14, 2006
The Honorable Joe Knollenberg
Chairman
House Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury,
and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary,
District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies
2358 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-6027
(Download in Adobe PDF format)
Dear Chairman Knollenberg:
On behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and its more than 1,500 member organizations, I urge Congress to fund the federal transit program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill at the $8.979 billion level approved overwhelmingly by the House in June. The House bill adheres to the levels authorized by law and provides an additional $4 million for transit research programs.
APTA recently signed a letter with its coalition partners in the Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) urging Congress to fund both transit and highway programs at the levels authorized in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Since we are already more than five weeks into the FY 2007 fiscal year, we urge you to complete action on this important legislation at the earliest possible opportunity.
We believe that balanced investment in transportation infrastructure is an issue on which all members of Congress can agree. Investment in the nation's transportation infrastructure can create jobs, reduce our dependence on imported energy, keep us competitive in the global marketplace, and further other national goals. Public transportation reduces congestion and makes the existing highway system work better, particularly during peak hours, and it provides mobility for millions of Americans.
We appreciate your consideration of our views on this issue of critical importance to the public transportation industry. If you have questions on these views or we can help in any other way, please have your staff contact Rob Healy of APTA's Government Affairs Department at (202) 496-4811 or email rhealy@apta.com.
Sincerely yours,
William W. Millar
President
WWM/tjj
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