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5/26/2017
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is requesting a $37.1 million budget for operating costs in fiscal-year 2018, up slightly over the board's FY2017 appropriations and 15 percent over FY2016.STB is seeking an increase in funding to fill staff vacancies, improve its information technology systems and continue to carry out directives under the STB Reauthorization Act enacted in December 2015.Additionally, the board is requesting $1.6 million to cover lease renewal and costs for a planned relocation of the staff's offices.The Freight Rail Customer Alliance (FRCA) yesterday issued a press release to advocate for an increased budget at STB."In this difficult budgetary environment, we are pleased that the Trump administration saw fit to provide an increase for the STB for FY2018, especially after Congress provided the STB with a needed funding increase for FY2017," said FRCA President David Sauer, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Dakota Gasification Co. "FRCA will work with the administration and the Congress to enact legislation appropriating the maximum possible funding for the STB," said FRCA Executive Director Ann Warner. "We need to help ensure that the efforts of the Board continue — particularly enhancing its IT infrastructure and data collection capabilities."