As published by Tom Curry in Roll Call.
Unions, Governors Make A Transportation Weekend Of It
Trains and buses may be on a reduced weekend schedule but transportation events run at a brisk pace Saturday and Sunday.
In Atlanta, the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO holds its annual executive committee meeting with 32 member unions in Atlanta. The unions represent workers from airline pilots to light rail operators.
Labor leaders will confer with Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx Saturday, and on Sunday Reps. Peter King, R-N.Y. and Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill. will meet with the union leaders.
The topics will include this year’s congressional work on surface transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, and rail safety bills.
“Our priority is to find problem-solvers in both parties who will work with us to clear the gridlock on paying for long-term transportation investments,” said TTD president Edward Wytkind. “Absent real action this year, we fear the economy will weaken and the middle class will continue its vanishing act.”
Meanwhile in Washington, the National Governors’ Association holds its winter meeting. It will be a chance for governors who have signed gasoline tax increases into law such as Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire to exchange ideas with those such as Maryland’s Larry Hogan who are seeking to repeal gas tax increases.