February XX, 2017
Majority Leader Mitch McConnellSpeaker Paul Ryan
317 Russell Senate Office Building1233 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20510Washington, DC 20515
Minority Leader Charles SchumerMinority Leader Nancy Pelosi
322 Hart Senate Office Building233 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20510Washington, DC 20515
Appropriations Chairman Thad CochranChairman Rodney Frelinghuysen
113 Dirksen Senate Office Building2306 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20510Washington, DC 20510
Appropriations Ranking Member Patrick LeahyRanking Member Nita Lowey
437 Russell Senate Office Building2365 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20510Washington, DC 20510
Budget Chairman Mike EnziBudget Chairwoman Diane Black
379A Russell Senate Office Building1131 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20510Washington, DC 20510
Budget Ranking Member Bernie SandersBudget Ranking Member John Yarmuth
332 Dirksen Senate Office Building131 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20510Washington, DC 20510
Dear Honorable Members:
Our nation’s transportation network serves as the backbone for economic growth and prosperity. Federal investments in roads, bridges, public transportation and rail create middle-class manufacturing jobs across America, support economic growth, and improve America’s global competitiveness. As the Presidentand legislators set an agenda for the 115th Congress, [I/we] urge leaders to continue making all forms of transportationinfrastructure a top priority.
When considering the next federal budget, [I/we] urge Congress and the Administration recognize that all Americans –Republican or Democrat, rural, suburban or urban dweller, public transportation user or not – benefit from public transportation.
Investment in public transportation supports manufacturing jobs across our country. Seventy-three percent of state, local, and federal funds for public transit go to supporting private sector jobs. These middle-class manufacturing jobs in states such as Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, produce components for trains and buses that go to other regions. For every $1 billion dollars of annual spending on public transportation supports an average of 21,800 jobs.
While transit is often associated with large urban areas, transit is also a critical connector for suburban, exurban and rural communities to jobs and essential services. In fact, the17 states that receive 40% or more of their public transportation funding from the federal government are mostly rural in character, like North Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nebraska.
Robustpublic transportation grows our economy, connects workers to jobs, and reduces traffic congestion. There is a strong return on investment for public transportation: for every $1 invested in public transportation, approximately $4 is generated in economic returns, exceeding the return generated by transportation investment in roads alone.
In addition, [I/we] urge leaders to honor the funding commitments established by the FAST Act and protect the Highway and Transit Trust Funds in the fiscal year 2017 and 2018 budget process. The FAST Act passed with wide bipartisan support and established increased funding levels to address key transit programs, improve state of good repair for our highways and bridges, and support competitive programs including the Capital Investment Grant Program. The bipartisanship surrounding transportation has existed for decades due to the fact that there is a balanced modal approach allowing the federal program to meet the needs of communities of all kinds across the country.
Public transportation is responsible for job creation, economic development, and competitiveness around the country, impacting every Member of Congress’ constituents and communities. [PERSONALIZE TO EACH CITY/REGION/ELECTED OFFICIAL, INCLUDING STATS ON FUNDING NUMBERS, TRANSIT PROJECTS THAT RELY ON FEDERAL FUNDING, AND INFORMATION ON TRANSIT SUPPLIERS TO THE AREA, ETC.]
Thank you again for your commitment to improving America’s infrastructure.