Advocacy Archives
The Board of Trade frequently testifies before local, state, regional, and federal government officials on range of issues. If you have questions or comments about any testimony on this site or would like to volunteer to testify on behalf of the Board of Trade, please contact Kyle White.
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Board of Trade Supports MD-HB1128 re: Protecting Transportation Trust Funds
March 18, 2008 — Daniel Flores, Senior Regional Director of Government Relations for the Board of Trade urges Maryland leaders to support HB1128, which will protect funds allocated for transportation projects.
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Board of Trade Testimony in Opposition to MD HB 1471
March 18, 2008 — The Board of Trade testified in opposition to HB 1471, as it would be a disservice to the residents and travelers of our region and state if the InterCounty Connector is not built.
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Board of Trade Testimony re: Green House Gas (GHG) Emmissions Legislation
March 14, 2008 — The Board of Trade opposes MD HB1416 because it singles out one project in Maryland - the InterCounty Connector - from among thousands that may have an impact on CO2 and other GHG emissions.
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Board of Trade Supports MD HB373 to Strengthen Transit-Oriented Development
February 12, 2008 — Board of Trade testimony in support of Maryland HB373 in order to strengthen future transit oriented development.
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Board of Trade Testimony re: WMATA Joint Development Policies
December 13, 2007 — Board of Trade Government Relations Director Bob Grow testified at the Dec. 13 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors Meeting regarding the Draft WMATA Joint Development Policies.
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Board of Trade Testimony re: DC Public Schools Chancellor's Ability to Make Needed Changes
November 2, 2007 — Board of Trade President & CEO testifies in support the Mayor’s proposed legislation that would grant the schools’ Chancellor the appropriate ability to make the changes needed to improve the District of Columbia school system.
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Board of Trade Urges Maryland Leaders to Invest $600 Million in New Transportation Funding
October 31, 2007 — The Board of Trade calls for a minimum of $600 million in new transportation funding in Maryland.
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October 22, 2007 — Statement of Board of Trade President & CEO Jim Dinegar at Public Overisight Hearing on Green Economic Development and its Benefit to Small Business in DC.
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September 18, 2007 — Board of Trade urges Maryland leaders to move forward in a prompt and deliberative manner to fund transportation needs as quality of life and economic viability hang in the balance.
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Letter Highlighting Consequences of Human Rights for Ex-Offenders Amendment Act
June 14, 2007 — The Board of Trade sent this letter to DC Councilmember Carol Schwartz expressing concerns over the proposed Human Rights for Ex-Offenders Amendment Act of 2007.
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Recommendation to the Executive Committee Regarding Rail to Tysons and Dulles
June 12, 2007 — The Board of Trade's Executive Committee voted unanimously to adopt this recommendation to support the above-ground option for Rail to Tysons and Dulles.
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Letter to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in Support of Rail to Tysons and Dulles
June 12, 2007 — The Greater Washington Board of Trade has long been a proponent of the Rail to Tysons and Dulles project and asks the Fairfax County, VA Board of Supervisors to vote to commit the local share of the funding at their June 18, 2007. This supportive vote is vital to the project moving forward. To do otherwise would jeopardize the future of Rail to Dulles and possibly disqualify it from receiving federal money.
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Board of Trade Supports Legislation to Provide up to $1.5 Billion in New Federal Funding for Metro
May 22, 2007 — On May 22, U.S. Senators from Maryland and Virginia introduced legislation to provide up to $1.5 billion in new federal funding for Metro, with matching funds required by DC, MD and VA. Strongly supported the by the Board of Trade, the legislation is currently pending in the U.S. House.
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Board of Trade Opposes Amendment to Increase E-911 Fee
May 10, 2007 — Letter to DC Council Chair Vincent Gray opposing Critical Emergency Communications Amendment Act of 2007 that will more than double the current E-911 fee from $.62 to $1.55 per line per month for both wireline and wireless.
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Board of Trade Supports HOT Lanes Proposal and Improvements to I-66
April 18, 2007 — Testimony before TPB Chair Catherine Hudgins in support of the I-395 / I-95 / HOV / Bus / HOT lanes proposal and spot improvements to I-66 inside the Beltway.
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Letter Sent to President Bush and Congressional Leaders Urging Support of DC Voting Rights Act
April 11, 2007 — Versions of this letter were sent to President Bush and members of Congress urging their support of H.R. 1433, which would provide the District with a vote in Congress.
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Board of Trade Opposes DC's Arbitration Amendment Act
March 20, 2007 — Letter to Councilmember Phil Mendelson Opposing Bill 17-50, the Arbitration Amendment Act of 2007
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Board of Trade Supports I-395/I-95 HOT Lanes and Added Capacity to I-66 Inside the Beltway
March 20, 2007 — Letter to The Hon. Catherine Hudgins, Chair, National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, in support of I-395/I-95 HOT Lanes and Added Capacity to I-66 Inside the Beltway
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Improving Public Schools in DC: Testimony Before the DC Council
February 20, 2007 — The business community in this region is also committed to improving the schools - because we believe in the ability of education to empower and because we have good jobs to offer. These businesses employ a workforce that calls for an expanding use of math, science, language skills, and more. Keeping up with the demands for a qualified workforce calls for increased skills and knowledge.
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February 14, 2007 — BTRAC urges the Maryland Transit Funding Steering Committee to build the case for dedicated funding of Metro by Maryland.
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Statement to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board
October 18, 2006 — The Greater Washington Board of Trade urges the Transportation Planning Board to keep working to secure new dedicated transportation funds from the states, drawing on a broad base of funding sources.
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Board of Trade Testimony re: Draft DC Comprehensive Plan
September 26, 2006 — Testimony given to the DC City Council by Board of Trade representative Steve Porter (Arnold & Porter) on the Draft DC Comprehensive Plan. Testimony calls for strengthening transit-oriented development, among other issues
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Limiting Legalese in Maryaland’s Lending Laws.
April 25, 2006 — The Board of Trade testified in support of a bill repealing Montgomery County’s predatory lending law. The original legislation had prompted legitimate lenders to consider leaving the market.
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Keep Transportation in Virginia's Comprehensive Budget
April 5, 2006 — In a recent letter to leaders of the Virginia General Assembly, the Board of Trade strongly advocated not to separate transportation funding from the rest of the state's budget.
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March 23, 2006 — We respectfully urge you to reject floor amendments to Senate Bill 3 that would prohibit the use of eminent domain for economic development purposes or any amendments that would unnecessarily hinder the appropriate use of this authority.
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Supporting Senate Bill 850 in Maryland for Transportation Funding
March 21, 2006 — It is appropriate that Congress provides additional support for WMATA, given the importance of Metro to supporting the federal government operations. We should do all we can to support this unique opportunity.
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Advocacy Alert: Tell VA Legislators About Your Transportation Needs
March 15, 2006 — Transportation is prmary hold-up to a budget agreement in Virginia. A special session of the legislature begins March 27th, so tell the budget conferees about your transportation needs.
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House Bill 988: Higher Education – Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grants
March 9, 2006 — The Washington area also continues to have one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates at 3.1 percent. This phenomenal job growth creates another challenge: a tight labor market. To continue our success, we must continue to grow a qualified workforce.
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Testimony of Business Transportation Action Coalition Regarding House Bill 1345
March 7, 2006 — BTRAC (a coalition of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Federal City Council, and Downtown DC BID) and each of its constituent members strongly support dedicated funding for Metro.
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Supporting Transit Funding in MD House Bills 1345, 981 and 1392
March 7, 2006 — WMATA – or Metro – is a critical part of our region’s transportation system. Last year, 336 million passengers rode Metrorail and/or Metrobus. Metrorail is the second most heavily used rail system in the nation and Metrobus is the fifth most heavily used bus system. By any measure, Metro is a success. But it is now aging; 60 percent of our Metrorail system is now more than 20 years old. Metro has also been a victim of its success.
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Advocacy Alert: Virginia Budget Negotiations at Critical Point for Fixing Transportation Crisis
March 6, 2006 — Budget negotiators are meeting this week and hope to have a package in place by this Saturday. Your input can make the difference, but they need to hear from you now!
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Letter to VA General Assembly re: the Need for New Transportation Funds
March 1, 2006 — Board of Trade Chair Sam Schreiber sent a letter to the entire Virginia General Assembly laying out the need for new transportation funds.
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MD House Bill 1127 Statewide Commission on the Shortage in the Health Care Workforce
March 1, 2006 — The Board of Trade supports Maryland House Bill 1127, which would establish a statewide commission on the shortage of health care.
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MD House Bill 1127: Statewide Commission on the Shortage in the Health Care Workforce
March 1, 2006 — One of the greatest challenges facing the U.S. health care industry is the inadequate supply of skilled health care workers. This trend will accelerate dramatically in the coming years due to increased demand on the health care system from a growing and aging population. If the supply of skilled health care workers is not addressed, it will have adverse consequences for patients, and for the financial health of every public and private institution in the country.
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MD Senate Bill 700 – Research and Development Tax Credit (SUPPORT)
March 1, 2006 — Greater Washington’s success in harnessing the power of research and development has made ours one of the fastest-growing, most vibrant economies in the nation.
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Letter Promoting Authorization of Local Jurisdications to Increase Taxes for Metro
February 27, 2006 — Bob Grow, director of government relations for transportation issues, sent this letter to members Virginia House Finance Committee urging passage of SB267 to allow local jurisdictions to increase the local sales to provide a dedicated funding source for Metro.
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HB761 - Expanding Opportunities for Small Businesses to Offer Health Care Benefits
February 23, 2006 — This letter asks the Virginia Senate Labor and Commerce Committee to support legislation that would provide greater access and affordability for small businesses wanting to offer health care benefits to their employees.
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MD House Bill 659: University of Maryland – Campus Traffic Study
February 21, 2006 — The Board of Trade testified in opposition to MD House Bill 659 to keep traffic moving around the University of Maryland.
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Memo to VA Legislators on VA SB504 - Legislation to a full phase-out of the estate tax
February 20, 2006 — This legislation would phase-out the estate tax in Virginia. The Board of Trade supports this initative.
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Supporting Governor Ehrlich's proposed FY07 operating budget for Univeristy of Maryland
February 7, 2006 — The Greater Washington Board of Trade is pleased to declare its support for the Governor's proposed FY07 operating budget for the University of Maryland System.
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RE: Liquified Natural Gas Storage Facility in Prince George's County
February 6, 2006 — In a letter to delegations from Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, the Board of Trade expressed concerns about legislation intended to block construction of a Liquefied Natural Gas storage facility in Prince George's County.
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Advocacy Alert: Transportation Issues at a Critical Phase
February 6, 2006 — Let your legislators know that Northern Virginia is choking in traffic. It’s hurting our ability to attract the highly qualified workforce we need, it’s impacting our daily quality of life.
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Advocacy Alert: "Way-to-Work" Legislation a Certain and Costly Mess
February 3, 2006 — Urge councilmembers to support Councilmember Orange’s amendments regarding Way-to-Work and to support severing the Displaced Workers Amendments from the bill and considering those amendments as part of the stand-alone bill regarding displaced workers.
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Asking Maryland to Support Dedicated Funding for WMATA
January 24, 2006 — This letter to Governor Ehrlich commends the governor for recent steps in supporting WMATA. The letter also asks the governor to coordinate funding efforts with the District and Virginia.
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Letter to Gov-Elect Tim Kaine on Ethos of Advocacy in VDOT
January 6, 2006 — The Board of Trade sent this letter to Governor-Elect Tim Kaine asking him to foster an ethos of advocacy within the Virginia Department of Transportation.
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Letter to DC Councilmember Kathy Patterson re: Efforts to Modernize DC Public Schools
December 2, 2005 — The Board of Trade and other local business organizations urge the DC Council’s education committee to reduce its proposal of $1 billion in new business taxes to fund the renovation of DC schools.
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Supporting Pierce Homer for VDOT Secretary
November 14, 2005 — The Transportation and Environment Committee of the Board of Trade sent this letter to Gov.-Elect Tim Kaine supporting Pierce Homer for VDOT Secretary in his administration.
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Supporting Transportation Links Between Maryland and Virginia
October 31, 2005 — The Board of Trade sent letters to the governors of Maryland and Virginia to advocate for HOT Lanes and new corridors and bridges to better link the two states.
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September 22, 2005 — The Board of Trade applauds you, Madam Chairman, and Councilman Orange, for introducing legislation that would establish a need-based financial aid program for Washington DC residents to attend post-secondary educational institutions in the District. I am here today to underscore the importance of this proposal to expanding our residents’ higher education opportunities, sustaining our city’s renaissance, and ensuring our region’s long-term economic health.
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HOT Lanes in I-95 / 395 Corridor -- Letter to VA DOT
September 20, 2005 — In a letter to John A. Rollinson III, chairman of the HOT lane advisory panel at the VA Department of Transportation, TEC Co-chair Mike A. Anzilotti expressed enthusiasm for the HOT lanes on the I-95 / 395 corridor and pressed for keeping excess revenues from the system for transportation improvements within the corridor.
