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The motorcoach/private bus industry is a good example of how much lobbying power shaped the relief bill (and every bill).
In 2020, the industry has been absolutely decimated. Close to 500 companies have shuttered in 2020 alone. Hundreds of thousands of jobs lost.
In 2020, the industry has been absolutely decimated. Close to 500 companies have shuttered in 2020 alone. Hundreds of thousands of jobs lost.
The sector is decentralized and so as a result has been lobbying for aid in a relatively grassroots way. Due to those efforts, a bill called he CERTS Act with $10 billion for motorcoach, passenger vessel and school bus industries has had majority support in congress for months
In the first draft of the relief bill, the CERTS industries got 8 billion--not as much as they wanted, or as much as was in the original bill, but a huge lifeline, especially considering they had been left out of the earlier CARES Act altogether.
Then as the massive package came down to the wire this week, that was suddenly bumped down to $2 billion, as money was siphoned off for state DOTs, who have the support of the powerful highway lobby and much more access to members of congress.
