ASLRRA’s Railroad Day 2017 a Record Breaking Success

About ASLRRA – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), a national-level sister organization to CSLRA, is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of the nation’s 550 short line and regional railroads and railroad supply company members in legislative and regulatory matters. Short lines operate 50,000 miles of track in 49 states, or approximately 38% of the national railroad network, touching in origination or termination one out of every four cars moving on the national railroad system,
serving customers who otherwise would be cut off from the national railroad network.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 7, 2017 – On March 2, 2017 a record number of citizen lobbyist railroaders, suppliers and customers met with their Congressional leaders to identify legislative strategies to grow rail opportunity.

367 Congressional offices hosted meetings for 456 visitors – a record number of participants for the annual event which has been held since 1999.

“Hundreds of citizen-lobbyists advocated on issues from balanced regulation, to sensible tax reform including permanence of the 45G tax credit that spurs rail investment, to the holding of truck size and weight at current levels,” said Linda Bauer Darr, President of ASLRRA. “Short line railroads extend the national rail network by connecting rail service to local economies and building jobs in America’s industrial and agricultural heartland.”

The Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act was a key point of discussion for short line railroaders, who noted close alignment with the Administration’s stated interest in spurring private investment in infrastructure through tax credits. Legislation supporting 45G has a 14-year track record, generating strong bi-partisan support. The BRACE Act was reintroduced in both houses in the 115th Congress (HR 721 and S407). Due to the efforts on Thursday, the BRACE Act now has 82 cosponsors in the house and 15 in the Senate as of Monday, March 6.

The BRACE Act removes the need to pass legislation every year in support of the credit, adding predictability to infrastructure investment planning. The 45G Tax Credit has been responsible for nearly $4Billion of private investment in short line and regional railroads since its inception in 2008. The 45G tax credit expired on December 31, 2016.

Contact:
Amy Krouse
akrouse@aslrra.org
(Cell) 312-371-6947
(Direct) 202-585-3438
50 F Street, NW, Suite 7020
Washington, DC 20001
aslrra@aslrra.org
www.aslrra.org

Don’t miss CSLRA’s Sacramento Visit on April 5th. Details…