2009 Highway Users Annual Meeting

2009 Annual Meeting2009 Annual Meeting

American Highway Users AllianceAmerican Highway Users Alliance

October 20, 2009October 20, 2009

The Mayflower Hotel | Washington, DCThe Mayflower Hotel | Washington, DC

www.highways.orgwww.highways.org

Meeting folder items:Meeting folder items: AgendasAgendas Meeting MinutesMeeting Minutes Slate of NomineesSlate of Nominees Action Fund FormAction Fund Form Membership BrochureMembership Brochure Authorization BookletAuthorization Booklet Jump drive file directoryJump drive file directory


Chairman’s Welcome & Chairman’s Welcome & Call to OrderCall to Order

Self IntroductionsSelf Introductions Adoption of MinutesAdoption of Minutes Election of Nominees for Board of Directors, Election of Nominees for Board of Directors,

Executive CommitteeExecutive Committee, and Officers, and Officers

Current Legislative ActivitiesCurrent Legislative Activities

Major Funding Cuts After SAFETEA-LU Bill Lapses Major Funding Cuts After SAFETEA-LU Bill Lapses No Highway Funding Extension Bill PassedNo Highway Funding Extension Bill Passed

In October alone, states will have to cut $1B from pending In October alone, states will have to cut $1B from pending contracts – nearly 1/3 of total budget authoritycontracts – nearly 1/3 of total budget authority

Under current Continuing Resolution, highway funding is Under current Continuing Resolution, highway funding is cut from approximately $3.5B per month to cut from approximately $3.5B per month to $2.5B per month$2.5B per month

If Congress passes extension to SAFETEA-LU, funding If Congress passes extension to SAFETEA-LU, funding level will be restored level will be restored


Cap-and-Trade Bill Moves to SenateCap-and-Trade Bill Moves to Senate Senate cap-and-trade bill (S. 1733) introduced by Sens. Senate cap-and-trade bill (S. 1733) introduced by Sens.

Boxer, Kerry; faces tough resistance from Republicans and Boxer, Kerry; faces tough resistance from Republicans and conservative Democratsconservative Democrats

Campaigned in opposition of Waxman-Markey as part of Campaigned in opposition of Waxman-Markey as part of Energy Citizens campaign Energy Citizens campaign

Highway Users, allies met with Senate EPW Committee Highway Users, allies met with Senate EPW Committee staff from both sides of the aisle to discuss concerns about staff from both sides of the aisle to discuss concerns about the House bill’s transportation planning provisions. the House bill’s transportation planning provisions. Section adds new, ambiguous statewide & metropolitan trans. Section adds new, ambiguous statewide & metropolitan trans.

planning requirements to already long, difficult process planning requirements to already long, difficult process


FY 2010 Budget & AppropriationsFY 2010 Budget & Appropriations Senate trans. approps bill passed by a vote of 73 to 25. Senate trans. approps bill passed by a vote of 73 to 25.

House already passed its bill. Next, bill will be sorted in a House already passed its bill. Next, bill will be sorted in a conference committee conference committee

Issued congratulatory statement to Senate Transportation Issued congratulatory statement to Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcmte. Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) Appropriations Subcmte. Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) for her efforts on appropriations for her efforts on appropriations

Supported two amendments by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)Supported two amendments by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) Option rather than mandate to spend 10% of surface trans. funds Option rather than mandate to spend 10% of surface trans. funds

on off-highway enhancementson off-highway enhancements Prevent the diversion of highway funds for museumsPrevent the diversion of highway funds for museums Neither amendment passedNeither amendment passed


Other Policy EffortsOther Policy Efforts Highway Users Policy Taskforces examining House bill Highway Users Policy Taskforces examining House bill

3 Taskforces met to develop recommendations for T&I staff on 3 Taskforces met to develop recommendations for T&I staff on congestion, safety, and freight corridors.congestion, safety, and freight corridors.

Participating in multi-org effort to dissect planning, environmental, and Participating in multi-org effort to dissect planning, environmental, and programmatic threats in authorization bills.programmatic threats in authorization bills.

Taking action to discredit flawed Urban Land Institute “Moving Taking action to discredit flawed Urban Land Institute “Moving Cooler” reportCooler” report Launching major campaign to combat the anti-mobility strategies Launching major campaign to combat the anti-mobility strategies

discussed in the report and advanced by some Members of discussed in the report and advanced by some Members of CongressCongress

Promoting safety for high risk rural roads as part of Roadway Promoting safety for high risk rural roads as part of Roadway Infrastructure Safety Coalition (RISC)Infrastructure Safety Coalition (RISC)

2009 Accomplishments Report2009 Accomplishments Report

Federal Highway Bill Authorization ActivitiesFederal Highway Bill Authorization Activities Met with ranking member of the House Highways & Met with ranking member of the House Highways &

Transit Subcommittee Rep. Duncan (R-TN)Transit Subcommittee Rep. Duncan (R-TN) with HU with HU Patron member NuStar to gain a highway “champion”.Patron member NuStar to gain a highway “champion”.

Met with House T&I Committee staff & rank-and-file Met with House T&I Committee staff & rank-and-file Members offices to discuss our core authorization issuesMembers offices to discuss our core authorization issues

Key EPW Cmte. staff from Boxer, Baucus, Voinovich & Key EPW Cmte. staff from Boxer, Baucus, Voinovich &

Inhofe reviewed Highway Users authorization proposal Inhofe reviewed Highway Users authorization proposal


Climate ChangeClimate Change Highway Users drafted united transportation planning Highway Users drafted united transportation planning

position papers for Boxer and Oberstarposition papers for Boxer and Oberstar Papers highlighted needed provision changes in last year’s Papers highlighted needed provision changes in last year’s

failed Senate climate change bill & early Waxman-Markey failed Senate climate change bill & early Waxman-Markey drafts.drafts. New planning regulationsNew planning regulations Restrictions on use of cap-and-trade fundsRestrictions on use of cap-and-trade funds

Working with new Fuel Users group – coordinated by Working with new Fuel Users group – coordinated by Chevron -- on climate legislation & fuel price impactsChevron -- on climate legislation & fuel price impacts


Federal Highway Bill Authorization ActivitiesFederal Highway Bill Authorization Activities Attended first Senate Commerce Cmte.’s Surface Attended first Senate Commerce Cmte.’s Surface

Transportation Subcmte. hearing on authorizationTransportation Subcmte. hearing on authorization

DOT Secy. LaHood testified focusing on alternatives to DOT Secy. LaHood testified focusing on alternatives to drivingdriving

Commerce Cmte. does not have highway program Commerce Cmte. does not have highway program jurisdictionjurisdiction

Final Final Road to Highway AuthorizationRoad to Highway Authorization booklets booklets included in meeting foldersincluded in meeting folders


FY 2010 Budget & AppropriationsFY 2010 Budget & Appropriations Met with T&I Cmte. Chairman Oberstar (D-MN) and Met with T&I Cmte. Chairman Oberstar (D-MN) and

Highways & Transit Subcmte. Chairman DeFazio (D-OR)Highways & Transit Subcmte. Chairman DeFazio (D-OR) Sent Legislative Alert to fight for House budget numbersSent Legislative Alert to fight for House budget numbers Opposed initial budget framework from Obama Opposed initial budget framework from Obama

Administration, released in FebruaryAdministration, released in February Congratulated Obama Administration for improvements in Congratulated Obama Administration for improvements in

FINAL budget proposalFINAL budget proposal Supported passage of House & Senate FY10 approps.Supported passage of House & Senate FY10 approps. Support higher Senate funding levels going forward.Support higher Senate funding levels going forward.


Cap-and-Trade billCap-and-Trade bill Organized transportation groups to develop a united Organized transportation groups to develop a united

transportation front on the legislationtransportation front on the legislation

Led multi-association effort to ask House T&I Led multi-association effort to ask House T&I Committee to assert jurisdiction in planning provisionsCommittee to assert jurisdiction in planning provisions

Also, we remain opposed to downstream fuels under Also, we remain opposed to downstream fuels under the cap – this approach has been rejected in Europe and the cap – this approach has been rejected in Europe and is an effective gas tax increase without any highway is an effective gas tax increase without any highway investmentsinvestments


Rockefeller-Lautenberg billRockefeller-Lautenberg bill S. 1036 proposed VMT reductions and mandates freight S. 1036 proposed VMT reductions and mandates freight

shift from trucks to railshift from trucks to rail After hundreds of grassroots letters came in, After hundreds of grassroots letters came in,

Democratic Commerce staff requested a meeting to Democratic Commerce staff requested a meeting to discuss our objections; we met with Rockefeller’s staff discuss our objections; we met with Rockefeller’s staff to offer our help to improve the billto offer our help to improve the bill

Legislative Alert garnered tremendous grassroots Legislative Alert garnered tremendous grassroots responseresponse

2009 Accomplishments Report2009 Accomplishments ReportEconomic Stimulus BillEconomic Stimulus Bill

Discussed highway funding in Discussed highway funding in the economic stimulus bill at the economic stimulus bill at multiple speeches & media multiple speeches & media programsprograms

PoliticoPolitico ad next to Secy. ad next to Secy. LaHood profile in inaugural LaHood profile in inaugural issue with help of NuStarissue with help of NuStar

Coordinated industry leader Coordinated industry leader meeting on stimulus and meeting on stimulus and highway bill effortshighway bill efforts


Economic Stimulus – Successful AmendmentsEconomic Stimulus – Successful Amendments

Endorsed:Endorsed: Passed 71-26. A Mikulski amendment to offer Passed 71-26. A Mikulski amendment to offer tax credits on car loan interest, helping people buy cars in tax credits on car loan interest, helping people buy cars in this challenging economic climate. this challenging economic climate. (Key Vote)(Key Vote)

Endorsed:Endorsed: Shuster amendment – Prevent states from Shuster amendment – Prevent states from cutting their own budgets and using stimulus as substitute, cutting their own budgets and using stimulus as substitute, (passed by voice vote)(passed by voice vote)

2009 Accomplishments Report2009 Accomplishments ReportEconomic Stimulus Economic Stimulus Endorsed:Endorsed: Failed Point-of-Order Vote: 58-39. Murray Failed Point-of-Order Vote: 58-39. Murray

amendment to increase highway spendingamendment to increase highway spending

Endorsed:Endorsed: A Boxer/Inhofe amendment to transfer $50B in A Boxer/Inhofe amendment to transfer $50B in unobligated balances from stimulus programs and move unobligated balances from stimulus programs and move them to highways at the end of 2009 & 2010 them to highways at the end of 2009 & 2010 (Not considered)(Not considered)

Endorsed:Endorsed: A Boxer/Inhofe/Baucus/Voinovich amendment A Boxer/Inhofe/Baucus/Voinovich amendment to increase highway funding by $5.5B to increase highway funding by $5.5B (Not considered)(Not considered)

Endorsed:Endorsed: Baucus amendment - deletes $8.5B recission Baucus amendment - deletes $8.5B recission from SAFETEA-LU scheduled to take effect on 9/30/09from SAFETEA-LU scheduled to take effect on 9/30/09(Not considered)(Not considered)


Weighed in on Commission ReportsWeighed in on Commission Reports Appeared on Fox News Live to discuss VMT & Appeared on Fox News Live to discuss VMT &

Commission reportCommission report Finance Commission report press releaseFinance Commission report press release BPC commission staff sought advice from us on final BPC commission staff sought advice from us on final

reportreport


Other Legislative & Policy ActionsOther Legislative & Policy Actions Energy IssuesEnergy Issues – – Highway Users participated in CEA Highway Users participated in CEA

Energy Forum on the Hill in mid-May. Cohen serves on Energy Forum on the Hill in mid-May. Cohen serves on its Board of Advisors.its Board of Advisors.

Stabilizing & Lowering Fuel PricesStabilizing & Lowering Fuel Prices – – Issued a Issued a Legislative Alert soliciting comments to MMS proposal Legislative Alert soliciting comments to MMS proposal for Outer Continental Shelf fuel exploration; would for Outer Continental Shelf fuel exploration; would reduce highway construction material costsreduce highway construction material costs

Clear majority of comments favored opening OCSClear majority of comments favored opening OCS


Other Legislative & Policy ActionsOther Legislative & Policy Actions SafetySafety – – Highway Users is a founding member of Roadway Highway Users is a founding member of Roadway

Infrastructure Safety Coalition to increase funds for rural road safety Infrastructure Safety Coalition to increase funds for rural road safety programsprograms Member of Highway Safety Performance Venture to develop a Member of Highway Safety Performance Venture to develop a

national state-of-safety report cardnational state-of-safety report card Roadway Safety Foundation invited to participate in AASHTO’s Roadway Safety Foundation invited to participate in AASHTO’s

SCOHTS CommitteeSCOHTS Committee

• Drafted AASHTO resolution to eliminate run-off-the-road Drafted AASHTO resolution to eliminate run-off-the-road crashes within 20 yearcrashes within 20 year

• Endorsed Baucus/Rahall bill: Surface Transportation Safety Endorsed Baucus/Rahall bill: Surface Transportation Safety Act, which promotes road safety funding, work zone Act, which promotes road safety funding, work zone protections, rail grade crossings, & better signs and markingsprotections, rail grade crossings, & better signs and markings


Other Legislative & Policy ActionsOther Legislative & Policy Actions Tolling & PPPsTolling & PPPs – – Highway Users continues participation Highway Users continues participation

in Americans for a Stronger National Highway Network in Americans for a Stronger National Highway Network coalitioncoalition

ITS America’s Congestion Initiative – ITS America’s Congestion Initiative – We supported the We supported the launch of ITS America’s Global Congestion Relief launch of ITS America’s Global Congestion Relief Challenge created to develop solutions to growing traffic Challenge created to develop solutions to growing traffic congestioncongestion


Other Legislative & Policy ActionsOther Legislative & Policy Actions

Chairman Boxer’s Water Regulation Bill – S.787Chairman Boxer’s Water Regulation Bill – S.787 Joined with other transportation and industry groups to Joined with other transportation and industry groups to

oppose S. 787, which extends US Corps of Engineer oppose S. 787, which extends US Corps of Engineer permitting jurisdiction over isolated, non-navigable permitting jurisdiction over isolated, non-navigable waters waters

Sent letter of opposition to Boxer & Inhofe outlining Sent letter of opposition to Boxer & Inhofe outlining concernsconcerns

S. 787 would lead to highway project delays and S. 787 would lead to highway project delays and cancellationscancellations

Non-navigable water is regulated by statesNon-navigable water is regulated by states


Open DiscussionOpen Discussion

Action FundAction Fund Threats to mobility about in current legislation Threats to mobility about in current legislation

and Administration policyand Administration policy Moving Cooler report: coerce people to drive less Moving Cooler report: coerce people to drive less

and own less carsand own less cars Rockefeller/Lautenberg: mandates VMT Rockefeller/Lautenberg: mandates VMT

reductions and freight modal shiftsreductions and freight modal shifts Blumenauer/Carper/Specter: CLEAN-TEA Blumenauer/Carper/Specter: CLEAN-TEA

requires planning changes that de-emphasize requires planning changes that de-emphasize highwayshighways

Dodd: Livable Communities bill defines livability Dodd: Livable Communities bill defines livability without automobilitywithout automobility

LaHood: Livability Initiative described in anti-auto LaHood: Livability Initiative described in anti-auto terms. Partnership with EPA/HUD to reduce terms. Partnership with EPA/HUD to reduce automobilityautomobility

Grassroots InitiativesGrassroots Initiatives Advocacy Grant ProgramAdvocacy Grant Program – Applications – Applications

due 11/15due 11/15 11stst Place - $1000 grant Place - $1000 grant 22ndnd Place - $750 Place - $750 33rdrd Place - $500 Place - $500

Grassroots Web SiteGrassroots Web Site – We are seeking a new – We are seeking a new website & social media platform to launch an website & social media platform to launch an aggressive grassroots development effort.aggressive grassroots development effort.

Advocates in Action AwardAdvocates in Action Award presented by presented by Chairman Bill GravesChairman Bill Graves

Proposed 2010 Meeting DatesProposed 2010 Meeting Dates

Board of Directors MeetingsBoard of Directors Meetings FebruaryFebruary JuneJune

2010 Annual Meeting 2010 Annual Meeting (all Highway Users members)(all Highway Users members)

OctoberOctober



October 20, 2009October 20, 2009

The Mayflower Hotel | Washington, DCThe Mayflower Hotel | Washington, DC

www.highways.orgwww.highways.org

Keynote SpeakerKeynote Speaker Federal Highway Administrator Victor Federal Highway Administrator Victor

MendezMendez


Policy Panel I: Highway Funding & Policy Panel I: Highway Funding & Authorization ProgressAuthorization Progress

Jack Basso, AASHTOJack Basso, AASHTO

David Napoliello, House Approps.David Napoliello, House Approps.

Kathy Dedrick, Senate EPWKathy Dedrick, Senate EPW

Rachel Milberg, Senate Approps.Rachel Milberg, Senate Approps.

Policy Panel II: Environment & Policy Panel II: Environment & Energy Hot IssuesEnergy Hot Issues

Cindy BurbankCindy Burbank, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Parsons Brinckerhoff Alan PisarskiAlan Pisarski, Independent Transportation , Independent Transportation

ExpertExpert Debra MarshallDebra Marshall, Chevron, Chevron

Closing RemarksClosing Remarks Greg CohenGreg Cohen, President & CEO, President & CEO


News & Politics

2009 Highway Users Annual Meeting