The following message was sent to the UTU National Legislative Office from Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo: In his State of the Union Address last week, President Obama spoke about the importance of investing in our infrastructure as a path to create new jobs and lay a foundation for America’s economic success. In the last [...]
Two nominated to NMB; await confirmation
May 19, 2011
WASHINGTON — Democrat Harry Hoglander has been nominated by President Obama for a fourth three-year term — this one to expire in June 2014 — on the three-member National Mediation Board, which administers the Railway Labor Act. Earlier this year, Obama nominated Republican Thomas M. Beck to succeeded Republican Elizabeth Dougherty for a term expiring [...]
U.S. border may open to Mexican buses
March 4, 2011
WASHINGTON — Mexican buses and trucks operated by Mexican drivers would be permitted to cross into and travel through the United States under an agreement reached March 3 between President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon. Congress, however, must approve the agreement, with details to be worked out between Mexico and the U.S. Department of [...]
Obama taps BNSF CEO, AFL-CIO president
February 24, 2011
WASHINGTON — President Obama Feb. 23 named BNSF CEO Matt Rose, AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka and United Food and Commercial Workers’ Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Hansen to the White House Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. The three join a long list of mostly business executives and bankers on the council. Its task is to recommend ways to [...]
Obama set to square off with GOP on HSR
February 9, 2011
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is pushing for a six-year, $53 billion investment in high-speed, higher-speed and expanded passenger rail service, but a fight is brewing with congressional Republicans. An initial $8 billion in funding for these rail projects is expected to be included in the president’s fiscal year 2012 budget request that will be [...]
A president embraces the iron horse
January 28, 2011
In his state-of-the-union speech Jan. 26, President Obama mentioned the word “railroad” eight times — the most mentions of “railroad” in more than 30 years of state-of-the-union messages delivered by five different presidents. Yes, there are those who keep count. In fact, the Washington, D.C., public policy advocacy firm of Chambers, Conlon & Hartwell used [...]
Obama: All-aboard for high-speed rail
January 26, 2011
In a state-of-the-union speech uncharacteristically short on laundry list projects and policies, President Obama Tuesday night conspicuously singled out high-speed rail as “the most reliable way to move people,” saying that “within 25 years, our goal is to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail, which could allow you go places in half [...]
Obama again names NMB, STB nominees
January 6, 2011
WASHINGTON — President Obama has renominated two Republicans to key transportation posts after the Senate failed to take action on the nominations last year. Nominated to the three-person National Mediation Board, for a term expiring July 1, 2013, is Republican Thomas M. Beck. Nominated to the three-person Surface Transportation Board, for a term expiring Dec. [...]
