• A coalition of 20 state attorneys general filed two federal lawsuits this week claiming that the Trump administration is threatening to withhold billions of dollars in transportation infrastructure, counterterrorism, emergency preparedness, and disaster-relief funds unless states agree to certain immigration enforcement actions.

  The states argue the Trump administration is violating the U.S. Constitution by trying to dictate federal spending when Congress has that power, not the executive branch. This action represents a significant challenge to the Trump administration’s attempt to tie federal funding to its immigration agenda.

  In a statement, Secretary Sean Duffy claimed that the Department of Transportation has not withheld funding, arguing that the states are “challenging the terms of their grant agreements because their officials want to continue breaking Federal law and putting the needs of illegal aliens above their own citizens.”

  On April 24, states received letters from the DOT stating that they must cooperate on immigration efforts and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or risk losing funds.

  Annually, DOT awards more than $50 billion in state grants to support highways, rail, airports, public transit, and other infrastructure.

• The administration’s nominee for FRA administrator, David Armstrong Fink, appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee this week. Fink led Pan Am Railways until it was acquired by CSX in 2022.

  Senators questioned him about the safety record at Pan Am, particularly a 2021 worker fatality that drew FRA scrutiny. Fink rejected the notion that Pan Am lacked a safety culture and “took exception” to some FRA criticisms, signaling a defensive stance on his past leadership.

  Fink has expressed a desire for the FRA to partner with industry in advancing rail safety technologies. In his questionnaire, he proposed eliminating “outdated” regulations Despite that, he emphasized the need to “rebalance priorities” at the FRA to ensure safety remains central, particularly as the agency takes on a broader role in grant administration.

  The nominee pledged to maintain the FRA’s two-person train crew rule, finalized last year. This rule is opposed by the Association of American Railroads, who as recently as last week testified against its efficacy.

• In the Federal Register this week the office of the secretary announced the establishment of a U.S. Department of Transportation Advisory Board and the solicitation of nominations for membership. The Advisory Board is intended to provide strategic vision and high- level guidance to modernize and enhance the United States transportation systems. Read more here.

INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: STATION INNOVATION TRIP TO GERMANY

Are you interested in examining Innovative Station Designs and Operations this fall?

Join D.B. E.C.O. North America for a webinar on May 22 to learn more about the September 7 - 12 trip, including the agenda, key highlights, and logistics. Whether you are interested in station operations, passenger experience, or multimodal integration, this webinar will help you determine if this uniquely German experience is right for you.

Click the link Join the meeting now or send an email to marketing@db-eco.us to request a calendar invitation with the link.

WHAT WE’RE READING

•  Sen. Cruz: Nominees Will Champion Regulatory Clarity and Strategic Investment (Senate Commerce Committee)

• Trump’s FRA nominee vows to uphold 2-person train crews (FreightWaves)

• Better over bigger: The region’s railroads must pivot from expansion to upgrades (Greater Greater Washington)

• Mineta Transportation Institute Says Cybersecurity in Transit is Still Not on Track (RT&S)

• Commuters grapple with impacts from the halting of NJ Transit trains (NJ News 12)

• South Shore Line: NICTD’s Little Railroad that Could (Railway Age)

• Commuters being warned about impacts of SEPTA budget cuts if funding isn't secured (ABC Action News)

• MBTA, Keolis Launch Renewable Diesel Pilot (Railway Age)

• Strike by New Jersey Transit train engineers leaves some 350,000 commuters in the lurch (AP)

• Potential NJ Transit strike: Commuter options to know as negotiations continue (Eyewitness News ABC7)