November 13, 2023 | Headlines, Legislation, Long Trains
(Source: Column by Ellen Montgomery published in The Pueblo Chieftain, November 11, 2023) Recent derailments clearly show the dangers that long trains carrying toxic substances pose for the environment. Shipping toxic chemicals through our communities and alongside...
November 1, 2023 | Amtrak, Headlines, High Speed Rail, Legislation
(Source: Trains.com, October 31, 2023) The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday on an appropriations bill that would cut Amtrak funding by more than 60% and block federal support for the California high speed rail program. Even if the bill passes the...
September 29, 2023 | Legislation, News
This week, Congress must enact a continuing appropriations act, or Continuing Resolution (CR), to prevent a government shutdown beginning Sunday, October 1. At this point, it is unclear if Congress will reach an agreement to prevent a shutdown. There are also question...
September 29, 2023 | Education and Training, Legislation, News
The BLET’s Education & Training Department wrapped up its Legislative Representative Workshop this week at Teamster headquarters in Washington, D.C. The workshop for 20 BLET Legislative Reps taught them how to become better lobbyists on behalf of the union. The...
August 1, 2023 | Amtrak, BNSF, Headlines, Legislation
(Source: Television station WDAF, July 31, 2023) Gov. Mike Parson and the Missouri Department of Transportation are set to announce a new Missouri Railroad Safety Crossing plan this week. On Thursday, the governor plans to sign House Bill 4, which includes $50 million...
July 18, 2023 | East Palestine-NS, Headlines, Legislation, Railroad Safety
(Source: NorthJersey.com, July 18, 2023) Freight trains, some stretching 100 cars long, carrying ethanol, crude oil and other hazardous materials travel within feet of thousands of homes, businesses and schools in Bergen County. Local officials and emergency...
July 17, 2023 | East Palestine-NS, Headlines, Legislation, Railroad Safety
(Source: Politico, July 14, 2023) An internal GOP dispute between party leaders and a motley crew of junior lawmakers is threatening to sink a bipartisan rail safety bill aimed at responding to February’s toxic spill in East Palestine, Ohio. Full story:...
July 17, 2023 | Amtrak, FRA, Headlines, Legislation
(Source: Progressive Railroading, July 14, 2023) A House subcommittee on July 12 advanced a fiscal-year 2024 appropriations bill that would slash funding to the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak and several rail-related programs. Full story: Progressive...
July 17, 2023 | Headlines, Legislation, Railroad Retirement
(Source: Railway Age, July 13, 2023) Two rail industry associations and two unions teamed recently to encourage Congressional support of the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness Act (REEF Act; H.R.2785/S.1274), which they said would “eliminate cuts to railroad...
July 3, 2023 | Headlines, Legislation, STB
(Source: Trains Magazine, June 29, 2023) Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) on Wednesday introduced the Reliable Rail Service Act, which seeks to clarify the definition of railroads’ common carrier obligation and establish specific criteria for...
