[DATE]
[Address]
Dear [Member of Congress]:
As the [insert job title] of [insert company], a [bus/rail manufacturer/ supplier/ contractor/ consultant] in your district, I write to ask that you support full funding for federal transit programs authorized in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, and oppose President Trump’s fiscal year (FY) 2018 “skinny budget” proposal to cut funding for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program.
The public transportation industry supports thousands of jobs across the country, including [insert type of job, for example: flooring carpenters, locomotive welders, bus shelter builders] at [insert company] in [insert location]. When it comes to federal capital investment, 70 percent will flow through to the private sector – supporting thousands of households that rely on these jobs. Public transportation supports economic growth in all other sectors of the economy as well, with nearly 90 percent of the 35 million public transportation trips taken each day directly impacting the economy.
As the Administration and Congress begin developing a plan to invest $1 trillion in our nation’s infrastructure, it does not make sense to take a giant step backward by cutting support for public transportation through the CIG program, as suggested in the President’s “skinny budget.” There is a robust pipeline and thorough selection and vetting process for these worthy projects – which include New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity projects. The “skinny budget” proposal would put at risk more than 50 CIG public transit projects in 23 states that will help meet growing demand for quality service and spur regional economic development. If fully implemented these cuts would put at risk 800,000 jobs, including 502,000 construction, professional services and related jobs; and an additional 300,000 longer term jobs associated with enhanced economic productivity. Overall, this will result in a possible loss of $90 billion in economic output. The impact to business is clear: Reduced travel time, reliability and access to labor markets will cost money.
[If you are in the bus supply chain – Insert the following]
[The economic impact of each project goes beyond the district and state it is in, supporting jobs throughout the bus industry. If implemented and funding is eliminated for all 23 bus rapid transit (BRT) projects currently in the CIG pipeline, the bus industry could lose 44,671 jobs, $2.7 billion in income, and $8.7 billion in economic output over a four-year span due to lost transit capital spending alone.]
[If you are in the rail supply chain – Insert the following]
[The economic impact of each project goes beyond the district and state it is in, supporting jobs throughout the rail industry. If implemented and funding is eliminated for all CIG projects currently in the pipeline, the rail industry could lose 457,989 jobs, $27.3 billion in income, and $81.8 billion in economic output over a 12-year span due to lost transit capital spending alone.]
The federal partnership with state and local governments is essential to the public transportation industry. In addition to state and local contributions, 43 percent of capital spending for public transportation comes from the federal government. If the federal government does not fulfill its part of this partnership, economic growth will suffer and America will continue to lose its competitive edge due to the deteriorating quality of our infrastructure.
The FAST Act passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support, authorizing the CIG program at $2.3 billion annually through FY 2020. Consistent with the goal of increasing investment in U.S. infrastructure, we support Congressional efforts to appropriate funds for CIG at the authorized levels in the FAST Act and oppose any reductions to this program now or in the future.
As a private sector member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), I know firsthand the positive national economic impacts of public transportation. The CIG program supports projects across the nation that reduce traffic bottlenecks, support economic productivity and growth, and generate jobs across our industry’s wide supply and distribution network. I urge you to support this program as Congress works through the budget and appropriations process.
Sincerely,