Both the House and Senate released versions of FAA reauthorization proposals this week. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster unveiled the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (21st Century AIRR Act) yesterday, which moves air traffic control operations from FAA to a private non-profit called the American Air Navigation Services Corporation.…
The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) recently celebrated its 51st Annual Conference and Exhibition in Monterey, California and elected leaders for 2017-2018. For over 50 years, NARC has served as a national voice for a regional approach to meeting local challenges. NARC members work collaboratively in their communities – large and small, urban and rural —…
Earlier this month, more than 250 House members sent a letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means leaders requesting a long-term fix to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) as part of a tax reform package. The letter emphasized the importance of resolving the issue before the FAST Act expires in 2020. It also…
The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) presented its 2017 General Achievement and Leadership Awards at its 51st Annual Conference and Exhibition Gala Dinner in Monterey, California last night. “We are honored to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding leaders and achievements across regional councils this year,” said NARC President Ron Shaffer, Commissioner of Johnson County, Kansas.…
As we approach Infrastructure Week (May 15 through 19) – a week of education and advocacy designed to draw attention to the importance of infrastructure to our nation’s economy, jobs, and communities – we should stop for a moment and ask why? Why must we have an Infrastructure Week? Shouldn’t the wealthiest nation on the…
The president has signed S.496. With that, the MPO Coordination Rule is no longer in force. This victory, which was striking in its bipartisan nature, is a victory for common sense and a testament to the hard work of a great many of you. The speed and thoroughness of this success was resounding. Now, we…
As if by magic, the House and Senate, early in the morning on Monday, May 1, came to an agreement on a $1.1 billion fiscal year (FY) omnibus appropriations bill that will fund the government through September 30, 2017. (NOTE: Specific funding amounts are included at the bottom of this blog.) The bill is expected…
The administration released a one-page tax reform proposal yesterday that does not specify money for infrastructure. The plan includes repatriation of overseas earnings, but does not state how the revenue will be used. This raises concerns that the revenue will be used to offset rate changes and other provisions, and not as a source for…
As you have no doubt heard by now, the Trump administration yesterday released a tax reform “plan” that filled just one side of a single sheet of paper. Which is to say, the plan is light on details. The “goals for tax reform” are outlined: “Grow the economy and create millions of jobs Simplify our…
Minutes ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation 417-3 to repeal the MPO Coordination Rule. House passage was the final step of the legislative process, and the bill now goes to the president for his signature. After marking up H.R. 1346, co-sponsored by Representatives Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and Jason Lewis (R-MN), in committee earlier…
The Broward MPO’s Plans and Programs are guiding future transportation investment, and their Strategic Transportation and Regional Transit Economic Development (STARTED) Plan will integrate all of their programs and projects to establish a comprehensive and connected transportation system. A number of projects have been identified to enhance Broward’s current transportation system, including: Brightline, the Wave…
NARC’s 51st Annual Conference and Exhibition includes elections for NARC Executive Directors Council (EDC) officers and NARC Board of Directors candidates. NARC’s Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization and guides its policy. On Wednesday, June 7 at 9:00 AM following breakfast, NARC members will vote for the NARC President, President-elect, Sr.…
This U.S. Department of Energy reality-style web series features the cities of Atlanta and Boston paving the way for tomorrow’s energy efficiency leaders. During SWAP 3, each energy team found innovative ways to save energy in two cities very different than their own. They tackle challenges ranging from exploring new technology to saving energy in…
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) is celebrating its 60th Anniversary throughout the month of April. On April 11, 1957 more than forty public officials from across the D.C. region met to discuss regional collaboration and created the Washington Metropolitan Regional Conference, now known as MWCOG. Join their celebration on Twitter at #COG60th to…
The following article, Want America to be Great Again? Pay for It, by Pat Jones was originally published as a guest editorial in the April 18 issue of Time magazine. Pat Jones is the CEO of the International Bridge, Tunnel, and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), an organization that represents tolling agencies from around the nation and…
The hotel has increased the number of rooms available for Saturday night, June 3. If you were trying to book a reservation that started or included that night, but had been unable to complete the process OR if you still need to book a reservation that includes that night, please reserve your room by midnight,…
On April 4, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing, Examining Federal Support for Job Training Programs. Witnesses included University of Maryland School of Public Policy Professor and Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Douglas J. Besharov, Urban Institute Fellow Dr. Demetra Smith Nightingale, and Markle Foundation…
Last month, two House panels heard from local officials how important the program has been to protecting cities and counties from liability concerns as these sites are rehabilitated and made available for redevelopment. NLC President and Cleveland Councilmember Matt Zone told the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee that successes in…
National Community Development Week – April 17-22, 2017 – is a national observance that honors the work made possible by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding. The CDBG program provides grants to over 1,200 state and local governments and funds activities such as housing rehabilitation, business assistance, senior services,…
With Congress on recess for one more week and the April 28 government funding deadline looming, talk of a government shutdown escalated in the media this weekend. Republican leaders want to show that they can adopt a funding bill that provides the government with sufficient funding, while Democratic leaders pledge that they will not support…
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