Business Transportation Action Coalition
The Business Transportation Action Coalition (BTRAC) is designed to educate and advocate for dedicated funding for Metro. It was launched in late 2004 as a combined effort of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Federal City Council and the Downtown Business Improvement District to secure the $2.4 billion in funding documented by the January 2005 blue ribbon Metro Funding Panel Report.
BTRAC Officers
- President, Sam Black (Squire Sanders & Dempsey)
- Executive Director, Bob Grow (Greater Washington Board of Trade)
Regional Vice-Chairs
- District of Columbia - Pauline Schneider (Hunton & Williams)
- Maryland, Ed Asher (Chevy Chase Land Company)
- Virginia, Jim Dyke (McGuireWoods)
We are grateful to the members of BTRAC’s Executive Board, each of whom has made major financial contributions to this effort:
- Akridge
- DMJM + Harris Inc.
- Alstom Transportation
- Mindshare Interactive Campaigns
- BDO Seidman LLP
- Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
- Bechtel Inc.
- Venable, LLP
- Boston Properties, Inc.
- Washington Group International
In little over a year, BTRAC has been instrumental in raising awareness within the business and environmental communities, state and local legislatures, Congress and to residents of the Greater Washington region of the need to secure long term dedicated funding for our Metro system. Legislation has been introduced at all levels – federal, state and local – to secure this funding.
At the federal level, Congressman Tom Davis has introduced the National Capital Transportation Act Amendments (HB 3496), calling for $1.5 billion in federal funding. At the local level, Councilmember Jack Evans introduced Bill 16-569 calling for dedication of one-half cent in sales tax which has now been signed by Mayor Williams and is awaiting Congressional approval. Maryland passed a bill this year directing that a study of transit needs and funding sources be completed by December. In Virginia a bill securing dedicated funding remains embedded in the Commonwealth budget bill yet to be acted on.
These actions are quite a change from last year when no legislation was even on the horizon. However, bills must become law in order to make a difference and we see this year’s legislation as a start, but unlikely to be completed in a comprehensive manner in 2006. For example, while Congressman Davis’ bill calls for $1.5 billion in federal funding, it is authorizing legislation. Once this bill is passed there is the second challenge of securing the actual dollars through appropriations.
To become a sponsoring member of BTRAC’s Executive Board, Please contact Sam Black at 202-626-6887 or Bob Grow 202-857-5935.
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