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| ACT International Conference Registration Live | | |
 Online registration is open for the 2015 ACT International Conference, to be held in Baltimore, July 26-29.
The program is coming together and will soon be posted at ACT's new Conference website (actconf.org).
But why wait? You know it will be great!
Register today.
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Rep. Pascrell to Introduce Bill Indexing Gas Tax
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Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) is planning to introduce legislation that pins the gas tax to inflation and creates a panel to recommend long-term ways to replenish the Highway Trust Fund. This represents another option being offered to stabilize the Highway Trust Fund before it becomes insolvent.
Congress returns next week with a little more than six weeks before the current transportation extension expires. The current extension of MAP-21 runs through the end of May. The Department of Transportation has projected that the Highway Trust Fund will remain solvent beyond the May deadline. This would allow Congress to pass another short-term extension without having to find additional funding. Conventional wisdom suggests that an extension will be passed into the summer and that the real deadline for action will come then. At that time, it is possible that another short-term extension is passed of possibly something that extends transportation funding beyond the 2016 election.
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Legislation Introduced to Eliminate Transit Funding
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Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC) have introduced bills that would eliminate transit funding from the transportation bill. In both, transfers from the Highway Trust Fund into the Transit Trust Fund would be reduced over time.
The primary difference between the two bills is the length of time before funding is eliminated. In both cases, the sponsors of the legislation shift that funding into more spending on highways. In addition, both members say they support transit funding, but believe another source should be found to fund transit projects. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has said that he opposes both pieces of legislation.
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Stand Up 4 Transportation Put Focus on Transportation Infrastructure
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| | House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chair Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) addresses dignitaries and a large crowd of public transportation users and supporters in Philadelphia at Stand Up 4 Transportation rally on April 9. |
ACT President Rob Henry joined federal and state officials, business and labor leaders, and transportation advocates in Philadelphia April 9 to highlight the urgent need for regional transportation infrastructure investment.
"I am proud to represent the Association for Commuter Transportation in standing up for transportation," he said. "ACT calls on Congress to pass a long-term transportation bill that provides a sustainable way to fund the transportation programs that allow our members to provide options for commuters through carpooling, vanpooling, transit, telework, and active transportation. We believe that a 21st century transportation bill calls for 21st century policies, and the programmatic policy reforms that are needed to optimize our transportation system cannot be completed unless the funding question is solved. ACT applauds the leadership of Congressman and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, and thanks all other participants in Stand Up 4 Transportation on this important day."
The current federal transportation funding bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), is set to expire May 31. Without a long-term federal transportation funding bill, Philadelphia and communities across the country will face tremendous uncertainty. Transportation is the backbone of our local and national economy. A long-term transportation bill is needed for better and expanded transportation options and to continue to grow our economy.
See more information about Stand Up 4 Transportation here: http://standup4transportation.org/
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Chapter News
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ACT Sacramento to Host Legislative Day April 22
ACT Sacramento Valley will host its Legislative Day April 22. The event will offer a full day of planning education and meetings with leaders who can directly influence transportation funding in California. For more information, visit http://eepurl.com/bjdgLD. (Thanks to Kari McKnickle from Sacramento Valley Chapter for this news.)
Southern California Regional Conference to Focus on ACTive Transportation
The 2015 Southern California Regional Conference will be held at the beautiful and historic Queen Mary in Long Beach April 30 - May 1. This year's focus on ACTive transportation is sure to educate and inspire attendees with sessions on new technologies, car-free living, climate update, and much more.
 On April 30, keynote speaker Adam Timm from Zen Life Services will address where mindfulness meets the bottom line, guiding attendees through assessment, training, and coaching. Participants will also enjoy dynamic speakers from The LA River Revitalization Corporation and the Port of Long Beach, and a mobility leadership panel with organizational leaders from Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS), Move LA, Fixing Angelinos Stuck in Traffic (FAST), and more. The May 1 program will focus on technology and the future, including conversations with developers of new mobile apps.
For additional speaker and sponsorship information, visit the ACT Southern California chapter website. Register for the event via the chapter's Eventbrite page.
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ACT Website Updates
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Awards Page Added: Click on ACT Awards in the dropdown menu under the Professional Development tab for an overview of the awards to be given in 2015, plus winners of last year's awards.
Conference Page Updated: Navigate to the latest International Conference page via the Baltimore slider image or the dropdown menu under the Events tab.
Events Calendar: The home page features an overview calendar; clicking any date takes you to a more detailed page. To submit an event, click on the 'View All Upcoming Events' link under 'Add Your Event'. Choose the appropriate category for your event. After you click on 'Submit Your Event', ACT staff will review and post (barring any questions/issues with content, etc.).
Feedback on usability of the website is always appreciated (email to info@actweb.org).
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| Welcome New Members! | |
- Cathy Cibor, Alta Planning + Design, Cascade Chapter
- Giovanny Barrientos, UCLA Transportation Services, Southern California Chapter
- Dan Callas, TransOptions Inc., Mid-Atlantic Chapter
- Derek Hofbauer, Alta Planning + Design, Cascade Chapter
- Jessica Roberts, Alta Planning + Design, Cascade Chapter
- Kelly Schwartz, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, Midwest Chapter
- Aria Walerski, GVF, Mid-Atlantic Chapter
- Angie Wilkie, Valley Metro, Valley of the Sun Chapter
- Robert Yates, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Southern California Chapter
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University of Vermont Transportation Services Recognized
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The University of Vermont was recognized for its sustainability efforts. UVM's Jim Barr (center) is joined by colleagues after accepting the award.
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The University of Vermont was one of seven vehicle fleets around New England selected as Northern Stars of New England by the New England Clean Cities Coalitions for its efforts in cutting carbon emissions, reducing the use of petroleum, and promoting and utilizing alternative fuels to power their vehicles.
The University was chosen because of its commitment to alternative fuels and alternative transportation options. Jim Barr, director of UVM Transportation and Parking Services, accepted the award and was recognized by the speakers for his drive to reduce UVM's carbon footprint. Barr is also national secretary of ACT.
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1IP1vcr
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| News of Note | |
- Measuring Mobility: DOTs want to copy Idaho's system for measuring how changes to snow and ice control plans affect safety and mobility.
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ACT Committees Seeking Volunteers
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The ACT Board of Directors revived and/or created a number of committees during its January meeting and your participation is eagerly sought. If you have fresh ideas and a willingness to invest a little time, please consider serving on any of the following committees:
- Communications (Maureen Farrell, chair)
- Events (Katie Sihler, chair)
- Membership (Connie McGee, chair)
- Professional Development (Jim Barr, chair)
- Sponsorship (David Judd, chair)
- Strategic Planning (Luanna Huber & Rob Henry, co-chairs)
To volunteer, email your committee choice and contact information to info@actweb.org and include "Committee Participation" in the subject line.
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Got News? 
You won an award? Your organization received a grant? You solved a problem that has long vexed the TDM world? Why keep it a secret? Please add ACT to your press list and email us your news. A short paragraph is plenty; we'll follow up with you if we need more details. Just email us at info@actweb.org with "Member News" in the subject line.
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