OAAA in GA
Andy McDonald attended the annual meeting of the Georgia Outdoor Advertising Association. Andy gave a presentation to attendees, updated them on state legislative and regulatory developments, and outlined recent highway traffic safety research.
Federal Transit
The U.S. Senate confirmed former Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY) as Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. Molinaro served in the U.S. House for two years, representing a Hudson Valley based district. He was a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Ad Taxes
First enacted in 2021, a Maryland online digital advertising tax has been subject to repeated court challenges. The latest was a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that an aspect of the Maryland tax violates the First Amendment. The Fourth Circuit ruling overturns a Maryland federal district court decision.
FAA & eGates
The Federal Aviation Administration announced a pilot program with tech company CLEAR for “eGates”, which allows enrolled travelers to further expedite processing through facial biometric identity verification. The eGates are now in use at Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL); Reagan National (DCA); and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) airports. The FAA wants to expand the program to 30 additional airports by the end of the year.
U.S. DOT
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation will experience a 7% workforce reduction in September when federal employee deferred resignation offers are finalized. Several DOT sub-agencies, with workforces under 1,000, will also experience reductions – 33% at the Federal Transit Administration; 28% at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and 26% at the Federal Highway Administration.
Published: September 12, 2025