Business and labor groups reaffirm support for America Fast Forward

Fox and Hounds Daily this week published an editorial titled, “Putting American Workers and Businesses Back In the Fast Lane,” that makes a strong push for support of America Fast Forward.

The authors of the piece were Gary Toebben, President of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Both smartly want to see Measure R transit projects built in the next decade instead of the next three decades.

Needless to say, business and labor don’t always agree on public policy issues. However, in Los Angeles they’ve come together to support investing in public transportation and creating jobs. And right now, the way to get that done is by getting all hands on deck in support of America Fast Forward, also known locally as the 30/10 plan (30 years of transit projects in 10 years — get it?).

The plan, which Toebben and Durazo call “a shining example of hope and collaboration,” would work the following way:

AFF calls for increasing and leveraging the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to support the private sector in creating jobs now by building projects on a faster timeline…[meaning] that construction teams can get to work building a 21st century public transportation system today — not years from now.

As the piece notes, Congress is presently outlining its priorities for the next multi-year transportation bill, and Toebben and Durazo praise a bipartisan group of Senators — including California Sen. Barbara Boxer — for committing their support for expanding TIFIA and enshrining America Fast Forward in law.

So, check out the piece for yourself and let us know what you think.