Go21 Growth Options for the 21st Century
Jan 28, 2016
Go21Growth Options for the 21st Century
Go21 Mission
National, nonprofit grassroots organization
Supporting legislation to expand rail capacity
Opposing bills that would shrink capacity
Building public support in 30 states
GoRail program mobilizes rail employees, retirees, and fans
AASHTO Freight Rail Bottom Line Report
67% Increase Over 20 Years
2000 Congestion
Projected 2020 Congestion
Public Benefits of Rail
Less highway congestion• 1 intermodal train = 280 trailers = 1000+ autos
Greater fuel efficiency• 1 ton of cargo, over 430 miles, 1 gallon of fuel• 3 times more efficient that highway transport
Cleaner air• 6 to 12 times fewer pollutants
Public investment is responsible public policy• Industry is stable, productive, and competitive• Efficient use of tax dollars
Investment Tax Incentives
25% credit for new infrastructure investment• “Track where no track has gone before”• E.g., double and triple track, intermodal facilities, spurs,
and tunnel upgrades
Deduction for other capital expenditures
Shippers and other businesses eligible for tax incentive
Deregulation Has Been Good for Businesses and the Public
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
210
240
270
300
1964 1969 1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001 2005
Productivity
Volume
Revenue
Price
Source: Association of American Railroads
Our ChoiceOur Choice
509,000 more trucks
$492 billion cost to highway users
$21 billion cost to taxpayers
$326 billion cost to shippers
365,000 fewer trucks
$635 billion highway user savings
$27 billion taxpayer savings
$401 billion shipper savings
?
Community Organizing - Missouri
Targeting&
Outreach
Grass Top Action
DirectContact Results
• Call/e-mail 300
community leaders
• 150 meetings
• 102 letters to
Congress
Rep. Neal St. Onge
Transportation Committee Chair
• 5 Cosponsors:
Rep. Akin
Rep. Carnahan
Rep. Clay
Rep. Cleaver
Rep. Graves
• calls & meetings
with entire MO
delegation
2007 Accomplishments
1,938 grass top letters to Congress
240 grass top phone calls
338 meetings with members of Congress and senior staff
62 published letters to editors
GoRail: Activating the Industry
Over 40,000 members recruited at rail facilities or electronically
Grassroots e-mails, letters, and calls to Congress • 18,000 e-mails to Congress in 4th quarter 2007 alone
Deepening commitment• Regular e-newsletters• “Win a Trip” essay contest• Political Training Academy
The Bottom Line
Only 6 of 154 House targets have cosponsored reregulation bill
29 House targets have cosponsored tax incentive legislation
House Targets - June 2007
House Targets – February 2008
Commerce Committee Targets
Sen. Boxer (D-CA) Sen. Carper (D-DE) Sen. DeMint (R-SC) Sen. Kerry (D-MA) Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ) Sen. McCaskill (D-MO) Sen. Pryor (D-AR)
Grassroots Programs in 2008
Reactivate existing supporters and recruit more• More letters, calls, and e-mails• More earned media
Bring 30 key supporters to DC for Railroad Day on Capitol Hill
Be ready with “rapid response” for mark up of the reregulation bill
Recruit 25 additional cosponsors for tax incentive bill
How You Can Help
Register at www.gorail.org
Write, call, and e-mail
Recruit others
Refer businesses• Dan Gurley, [email protected]