Welcome to my new blog on federal policy! I am Margo Pedroso, Deputy Director for the Safe Routes Partnership.  One of my primary responsibilities is to lobby for the Safe Routes to School program on Capitol Hill.  I work to make sure Senators and Representatives are educated about the important work happening all across the country with the assistance of the federal transportation funds. Hopefully you have been keeping up to speed on the reauthorization of the Safe Routes to School program and the transportation bill through my monthly updates in our e-newsletter.  Having this forum will allow me to provide more timely updates as things are moving quickly. 

I have been with the Safe Routes Partnership for nearly three years now.  My background is in lobbying and most recently I worked for the National Mentoring Partnership on federal policy and funding affecting youth mentoring.  I also started out working in the US House of Representatives, as staff for the Committee that handled education policy.  While the issues I have worked on have been fairly diverse, the common thread has always been working towards funding and legislation that improves the lives of children. And I know we all agree Safe Routes to School does exactly that.

I am honored to be able to represent the work of thousands of Safe Routes to School advocates in Congress.  Even though our political atmosphere is very divided these days, Safe Routes to School is an issue that can bring both sides together with our focus on children, safety and health. 

That's not to say that our work in Congress is easy.  But, I know that we can be successful as long as we all stick together and that each of you share your Safe Routes to School stories with your Members of Congress.