You helped save funding for transit, safe walking and biking
September 29, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
Two weeks ago, we were successful in beating back a handful of dangerous amendments to the yearly transportation budget in the Senate that would have broken federal promises to fund crucial, long-planned public transportation, passenger rail and bike/pedestrian projects.
In less than 48 hours, supporters like yourselves sent more than 10,000 messages to your Senators in opposition of these dangerous amendments. Your quick action was instrumental in letting the Senate know that it’s important we continue funding alternatives to driving that can help us use less oil, cut our emissions, bike and walk safely and reduce the amount of time we spend in congestion each day.
Sen. McCain had a slew of amendments that would have removed previously obligated funds for critical transit projects across the country. Sen. Bond reportedly had an amendment in hand to strip out high-speed rail funding. And Sen. Coburn proposed an amendment that would have removed the requirement that states spend a small fraction of their transportation funds on the kinds of investments that make biking and walking safer and more available.
We thank you all for your speedy action on these amendments. Your voices are regularly being heard on Capitol Hill! Keep it up.
3 Responses to “You helped save funding for transit, safe walking and biking”
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September 30th, 2009 2:34 pm
It would be really nice if someone had a rating system (like ADA and ACU’s congressional rating system) on these issues.
October 1st, 2009 9:23 am
it is clear that the BICYCLE-PEDESTRIAN issue is not as far up on the list as it should be
but
it is good to see this issue climbing up the ladder
it is good to see that there are those stopping others from pushing these issues off the ladder entirely
government needs to lead by example
our government needs to embrace alternative forms of transportation
our government needs to be forward thinking and proactive
safer streets!
more bike paths!
the government work places should enable the efforts of those who walk-run-or bike to work
it is more than just transportation
it is about people co-existing in a healthy-civil sort of way
then on the side of energy consumption
energy can be saved through shorter work days
flex days
and of course working from home/tele-commuting
in Washington DC when Congress takes its month long vacation in August
all the government agencies whose work drops to a trickle because their work is with Congress
well… what about these workers moving to a 3 day week
the energy saved by not having these people drive to work in addition to the lights off and less computer/printer/etc. activity
well… it would have a cumulative significant energy savings
as well as maybe a mental health bonus for the workers!
October 5th, 2009 2:02 pm
Michael, I don’t know for sure but I’d guess offhand that the Rail to Trails Conservancy probably keeps at the very least a breakdown of every vote having to do with Transportation Enhancements if you want to check in with them.