Our Stories

Hike the Hill Recap: Day 2

By Bruce Matthews, NCTA Executive Director

6:00am

Monday turned our to be Budget Day in DC–the day when the President delivers his next year’s budget proposal to the Hill. Not a great time to be scheduling meetings with Congressional offices–all the focus and energy is on the budget and what it means to states/districts and political positions and whose ox got gored, etc. But I have to say we were a breath of red plaid-clad fresh air to a number of folks we met with, especially in Senators Stabenow, Klobuchar and Levin’s offices.

We’ve built relationships with these folks over time, they love the story of the North Country Trail and the people that are building it. I walked into Senator Levin’s office yesterday afternoon and the first thing his staffer said when she looked at me was “I’ve got to get outside more!”

We made progress Monday with getting the Senate introduction for the Minnesota Arrowhead Re-Route bill. In meeting with Rep Pete Welch’s folks (VT) they are asking all the right questions about the eastern extension of the NCNST into Vermont–there was palpable excitement in talking about it.

Today most of my meetings will be House-side. Stay tuned–I’m hoping to have a commitment by day’s end for a House introduction of the MN Arrowhead Re-Route. If Congressman Cravaack won’t do it I bet we can find someone who will!