Category Archives: Legislative Outlook

House Bill Provides Chance for Expanded, Long-term Highway/Transit Funding Legislation

Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), of which TCU is a member, issued a statement in advance of a House vote on a short-term extension of expiring highway and transit investment programs: “TTD urges a YES vote on H.R. 2353, a short-term extension of expiring highway/transit programs that will keep pressure on

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TTD – Expiring Highway/Transit Programs Should be Extended Only Through July

Congress Must Focus on Completing Long-Term Bill Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), of which TCU is a member, issued a statement regarding ongoing deliberations by lawmakers over passing legislation to extend expiring federal highway and transit programs: “Years of congressional inaction on a long-term surface transportation bill has harmed our economy.

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U.S. DOT – Final Rule to Strengthen Safe Transportation of Flammable Liquids by Rail

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a final rule for the safe transportation of flammable liquids by rail. The final rule, developed by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), focuses on safety improvements that are designed to prevent accidents, mitigate consequences in the event of an accident, and

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TCU Supports Bill to Repeal ACA Excise Tax on Employer Health Plans Sooner Rather Than Later

This week in a letter, International President Buffenbarger urged Congress to repeal the 40 percent excise tax on high-value employer-sponsored health care benefits and for members to support Rep. Courtney’s bill to repeal the excise tax and further urged members to become a co-sponsor on the bill.  Rep. Joe Courtney a critic of the excise

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Mass Transit under Attack

The Highway Trust Fund, long an essential funding vehicle for both federal roads and mass transit systems, is under attack by some House Republicans seeking to strip protections from mass transit employees. The Highway Trust Fund is used to fund major transportation networks, including mass transit systems, and is facing a budget shortfall.  Currently, 16%

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Implementation of Positive Train Control Will Make Railroads Safer

PTC Video published by the American Association of Railroads (AAR). One of the most important enhancements to rail safety is the timely implementation of Congressionally mandated positive train control (PTC) systems that will prevent collisions and save lives.  Although the current language in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the Federal Railroad Administration

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TTD Release – Bill to Extend Positive Train Control Implementation Misses Chance to Make Rail Transportation Safer

Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) of which TCU is a member, issued a statement about the Senate markup of the Positive Train Control (PTC) extension bill: “A five-year extension of the deadline by which Positive Train Control (PTC) technology must be implemented cannot be considered in a vacuum or in

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