Keynote speaker: Don’t rob others by refusing to change Keynote speaker: Don’t rob others by refusing to change Chad Hymas urges ATSSA members to embrace change and innovation to save lives Pam / Wednesday, February 17, 2021 0 2779 Article rating: No rating For the first five years after he became a quadriplegic in a farming accident, Chad Hymas refused to pursue his love of scouting for elk. Finally, after his father invited him again, said it wasn’t about him and said he would take his two sons himself, Hymas answered the challenge. That was a turning point for Hymas and one he keeps constantly before him by posting a photo of his son from that day. Hymas, who was injured near his home in Utah on April 3, 2001, was the keynote speaker for ATSSA’s 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. He took part in the Convention’s second general session today, which also included a Government Relations Panel featuring Sen. Shelly Moore Capito, (R-W.Va.), American Highway Users Alliance President & CEO Laura Perrotta and ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith discussing their outlook on transportation funding. ATSS Foundation Board Chair Dave Krahulec provided an update on Foundation efforts and fundraising events. Read more
ATSSA Town Hall covers anticipated impacts of 2020 election ATSSA Town Hall covers anticipated impacts of 2020 election Listen now to a recording of Tuesday's Town Hall Pam / Tuesday, November 17, 2020 0 2924 Article rating: No rating ATSSA Vice President of Government Relations Nate Smith noted that congressional races didn’t go as expected in this month’s election, with Republicans picking up seats while the Democrats could lose up to a dozen when final results are tabulated. Smith also predicted who will be the next Transportation Secretary if Vice President Joe Biden wins when results of the presidential race are final. Smith laid out six contenders for the cabinet position. Smith shared his observations and insights during a nearly 1-hour Town Hall this afternoon about the election and its impact. Read more
Senate passes one-year extension of federal highway bill Senate passes one-year extension of federal highway bill Measure included in action to prevent government shutdown Pam / Wednesday, September 30, 2020 0 5122 Article rating: No rating The Senate this evening approved a one-year extension of the federal highway bill, which would have expired at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday. The extension was included in a continuing resolution (CR) passed by both chambers to avert a government shutdown. The stopgap bill pushes the deadline to pass the yearly spending budgets for the federal government to Dec. 11. The Senate approved the action by an 84-10 vote. Read more
Highway bill extension included in House continuing resolution today Highway bill extension included in House continuing resolution today One-year extension part of House of Representatives proposal to avoid shutdown Pam / Monday, September 21, 2020 0 3637 Article rating: No rating Democrats in the House of Representatives today proposed a Continuing Resolution that includes a one-year extension of the current federal highway bill. The resolution is aimed at avoiding a federal government shutdown but included the highway bill, which is scheduled to expire on Sept. 30. The federal government shutdown could come in nine days without action. The proposal would fund the government through Dec. 11. If approved, the resolution would ensure that current transportation programs would not lapse on their expiration date of Oct. 1. Read more
Don’t miss ATSSA’s Legislative Briefing & Virtual Fly-In on Sept. 15-16 Don’t miss ATSSA’s Legislative Briefing & Virtual Fly-In on Sept. 15-16 Get a taste of legislative advocacy without the D.C. travel Pam / Tuesday, August 18, 2020 0 4037 Article rating: 4.0 ATSSA’s 2020 Legislative Briefing & Fly-In has gone virtual, offering members the opportunity to participate without traveling to the nation’s capital. “If you’ve never taken part, this year’s event provides a great way to get a glimpse into legislative advocacy from the comfort of your home or office,” said ATSSA Vice President of Government Relations Nate Smith. “The Legislative Briefing & Fly-In gives ATSSA members the unique opportunity to interact directly with lawmakers and have their issues and priorities heard.” The Sept. 15-16 event is free to members but the deadline to register is Sept. 7. Read more
House passes $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill with major transportation investment House passes $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill with major transportation investment ATSSA CEO seeks 'long-term, robustly-funded and safety-focused highway bill' before FAST Act expires Oct. 1 Pam / Wednesday, July 1, 2020 0 4839 Article rating: No rating The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2, known as the Moving Forward Act, a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan covering not only traditional transportation, but also schools, housing, drinking water, broadband, and clean energy. The legislation, led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal (D-Mass.), included the language from the $494 billion Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act, known as the INVEST in America Act. The bill passed along a party-line vote of 0-0, with Republicans opposing how the bill was crafted and the inclusion of provisions focused on environmental protections. Read more
House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee releases proposed INVEST in America Act House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee releases proposed INVEST in America Act Pam / Wednesday, June 3, 2020 0 3892 Article rating: 5.0 Today, the Democratic leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released proposed legislation to reauthorize the federal transportation program through Fiscal Year 2025. The bill, Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act (INVEST in America Act), was introduced by Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chair Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chair Dan Lipinski (D-IL). The proposal authorizes federal transportation funding for five years, at a total of $494 billion, $319 billion of which will be for highway investments. Read more
Recording available from ATSSA Town Hall on government’s COVID-19 response & infrastructure funding Recording available from ATSSA Town Hall on government’s COVID-19 response & infrastructure funding Registration open for next Town Hall addressing innovations in ATSSA’s online training Pam / Thursday, April 16, 2020 0 4217 Article rating: No rating It’s not too late to catch ATSSA’s first virtual Town Hall on the state and federal response to COVID-19 and potential infrastructure investments. A recording is now available of Tuesday’s one-hour session featuring Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, and AASHTO Executive Director Jim Tymon. The virtual Town Hall is a new feature for members. The next topic is "Innovations in Online Training to Keep Your Employees Engaged" and will be held Aprtil 28 at 2 p.m. Read more
ATSSA hosting Town Hall Tuesday on government’s COVID-19 response & infrastructure funding ATSSA hosting Town Hall Tuesday on government’s COVID-19 response & infrastructure funding Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., and AASHTO Executive Director Jim Tymon taking part Pam / Monday, April 13, 2020 0 3817 Article rating: No rating Registration is now open for ATSSA's debut virtual Town Hall to be held this Tuesday. ATSSA’s new President & CEO Stacy Tetschner and ATSSA Vice President of Government Relations Nate Smith will be joined by AASHTO Executive Director Jim Tymon and U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., who serves on the Ways and Means Committee. The conversation will focus on the state and federal response to COVID-19 and potential infrastructure investments. Read more
Safer Roads, Legislative Briefing and Fly-In events postponed due to COVID-19 Safer Roads, Legislative Briefing and Fly-In events postponed due to COVID-19 Pam / Thursday, March 19, 2020 0 3332 Article rating: No rating ATSSA has postponed two major events scheduled for this spring in the wake of COVID-19. The Legislative Briefing & Fly-In scheduled for April 22-23 has been delayed by five months to Sept. 9-10. The Safer Roads 2020 International Conference scheduled for May 12-14 in Richmond, Va., has been postponed by six months to November. An exact date will be announced once it is confirmed. We will post additional updates related to COVID-19 as available. Read more
22Jun2022 ATSSA strongly opposes President Biden’s gas tax suspension proposal Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Read more