TDA at 50 - The Groovy Origins |
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My Perspective
by TDA Executive Director Debby Jackson
The year was 1971. The U.S. was in its second decade in Vietnam, and the 26th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, lowering the voting age to 18. Alan Shepard took his iconic Apollo 14 golf shot on the moon.
The events of 1971 reflected societal changes and heralded a reshaping of our economy and way of life. 1971 was the year the Ed Sullivan Show went off the air, and All in the Family debuted. It was also the year email was invented, initiating the use of the “@” sign, and the first microprocessor was created. Now, email in the 70s was rare and limited primarily to research institutes and think tanks, and the first microprocessor likely could not operate today’s toaster. But, it was the beginning.
Southwest Airlines’ first flight took off in June of 1971, revolutionizing the airline industry. Of course, I am not referring to the white boots and orange hotpants worn by the stewardesses (forgive the 1970s lingo), but the low-cost airline concept, which opened air travel to the masses. Amtrak began operation on May 1, 1971, taking over the passenger service of 20 intercity railroads.
The 1971 economy was sluggish, beginning the year with 6 percent unemployment and 5-plus percent inflation, but that would look like good times when stagflation, fueled by the 1973 oil embargo, really kicked in later in the decade. The Pentagon Papers were leaked in mid-1971, foreshadowing Watergate in 1972. And during these uncertain and tumultuous times, a small group of Wisconsin transportation leaders founded the Wisconsin Council for Transportation Information, Inc. Huh?
Yes, TDA began as the Wisconsin Council for Transportation Information (WCTI). Doesn’t that just roll off the tongue?
We did not become the Transportation Development Association until 1977, and we did not have our first full-time employee until 1978. Having more than $10,000 of reserves in the bank was a wish until sometime in the 80s. The story goes that in the early years, the hat was often passed at TDA meetings to ensure the organization could make payroll and cover other expenses.
But from those times, which were described as “the decade [1970s] of ‘disillusionment and disinvestment,’” came an organization that has weighed-in and made a difference on state and federal transportation issues for the last fifty years. From gas tax indexing to Corridors 2020 to the constitutional amendment to protect transportation user fees to the Just Fix It campaign, TDA members showed up. Members also advocated in Washington, DC, for adequate federal transportation investment to support our nation’s economy, safeguard our citizens, and make sure Wisconsin got its fair share.
TDA was one of the first transportation groups in the nation to bring together a broad-based membership to advocate for all transportation types. Today, many states have multimodal advocacy organizations like TDA.
So, what have we learned as TDA turns 50 in 2021?
Here’s what I take away from TDA’s history. Things today might be tough, but times have been tough before. And technology will change the economy in ways we cannot predict. However, I know a couple of things with certainty. First, transportation will play a significant role in whatever the future brings. Most importantly, I know TDA will help Wisconsin chart a course for another 50 years and beyond if we continue to work together with our founders' tenacity.
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COVID Relief Funds Offset Some State Transportation Revenue Losses |
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Shortly before the holidays, Congress passed a $900 million COVID relief package. Five days later, the measure was signed into law by the president.
According to a January 15 Federal Highway Administration notification, Wisconsin’s share of the $10 billion is $186.6 million, with $18 million allocated to urban areas with populations over 200,000. These flexible-use funds will remain available until Sept. 30, 2024, and do not require matching dollars from the states.
It is important to note that while this funding is greatly needed and appreciated, it only begins to fill a transportation revenue hole caused by the pandemic. Looking at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) 2021-23 budget submittal, total funding is down $215.8 million compared to the base level from the previous budget. The COVID relief funding could cover most of this projected revenue shortfall.
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President Biden's Rescue and Recovery Plans |
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The first step – the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan – would provide funding to help tackle the pandemic and get direct financial assistance and relief to Americans and struggling communities and small businesses.
In the 19-page plan summary, President Biden calls for $20 billion to support the hardest-hit public transportation agencies.
The second step is the Build Back Better Recovery Plan. In his statement, President Biden vowed to present this plan in his first appearance before a joint session of Congress next month. He went on to say about the plan, “It’ll make historic investments in infrastructure, that Build Back Better Plan.”
According to President Biden, his approach will result in over 18 million good-paying jobs.
“It's time to stop talking about infrastructure and to finally start building infrastructure so we can be more competitive,” President Biden continued. “Millions of good-paying jobs that put Americans to work rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our ports, to make them more climate resilient, to make them faster, cheaper, cleaner to transport American made goods across our country and around the world. That's how we compete.”
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U.S. Chamber Moves Infrastructure and Transportation Agenda Front and Center |
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Led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, members of a newly-formed coalition call on the 117th Congress to enact a comprehensive infrastructure bill before July 4, 2021.
Investment in infrastructure, including transportation, is a top priority and a key to helping the U.S. economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition, known as Build by the Fourth of July, currently has more than 225 members, and the list grows every day. TDA has joined this coalition, as have other Wisconsin organizations such as Forward Janesville, the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association.
As Thomas Donohue, the CEO of the U.S. Chamber, explained in his 2021 State of American Business Address, “Our lawmakers should enact a fiscally and environmentally responsible infrastructure package that focuses on urgent needs like roads and bridges, modernizes our critical networks, and upgrades and expands technology like broadband. Even in a 50-50 Senate and a House divided by 5 votes, this can be done - and it might build some goodwill for bipartisan progress on other priorities. We’ve been working on this for more than 20 years. Let’s find a way to pay for it, and let’s get moving. This year, there can be no excuses for failure.”
Donohue also noted that such a package is "the number one way to raise productivity, create jobs, and drive up incomes in a hurry.” The full transcript of his speech is here.
Join TDA and hundreds of other organizations by becoming part of the Build by the Fourth of July coalition. The process is as simple as emailing your interest to the U.S. Chamber: BB4JCampaign@uschamber.com.
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Landmark Achievement: Positive Train Control Operational |
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On December 29, 2020, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced Positive Train Control (PTC) technology is operational on 57,000+ freight and passenger railroad miles as mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) of 2008. This requirement applies to 41 railroads, including seven Class I railroads, Amtrak, 28 commuter railroads, and five additional freight railroads that host scheduled intercity and commuter rail passenger service.
PTC systems are designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, speed-related derailments, intrusions into work zones, and trains' movements through switches left in the wrong position. As FRA Administrator Ronald Batory describes this landmark achievement, “PTC is a critical piece and new dimension of safety in the railroad industry, but it does not take the place of the men and women who operate and maintain freight and passenger trains. At its core, PTC is a risk reduction system that will make a safe industry even safer, and provide a solid foundation upon which additional safety improvements will be realized.”
Thirteen years ago, Congress passed and President Bush signed the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. This act mandated implementing PTC systems on Class I main lines carrying more than five million gross tons of annual traffic and certain hazardous materials. Railroads were also required to install PTC on any main lines with regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger service.
RSIA initially required PTC systems to be fully implemented by the end of 2015. But in acknowledging the project's size and scope, Congress extended the deadline to the end of 2018 with potential for further extension. The final deadline was to be no later than December 31, 2020.
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This year TDA staff revamped our sponsorships and offered members the opportunity to be an organizational sponsor, as well as an event sponsor. It is still early in the year, and we are hopeful the list will grow.
If you are interested in being a sponsor, see the options here. |
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Be on the Lookout for TDA Fly-in Information |
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TDA is in the process of scheduling a virtual TDA Fly-in. Event information should be heading your way shortly. |
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TDA 2021 Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16. |
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Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin
10 East Doty Street, Suite 201 | Madison, WI 53703
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