ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT
Monday, November 29, 2004
TO: 1000 Friends Email Network
From: Ward Lyles, Transportation Policy Director (Contact #: 608/259-1000)
Re: Take Action on Transportation
We are sending this action alert to you today because we need your help to promote a funding increase in the 2005-2007 state budget for a valuable transportation program� Elderly and Disabled Transportation County Aids. This important program allows counties to provide trips for seniors and people with disabilities cannot or choose not to drive. 1000 Friends is part of a broad coalition asking the Governor for a $6 million increase to the Elderly and Disabled Transportation County Aids program over the next two years.
Here�s just a sample of challenges faced by seniors and people with disabilities that increased funding can help address:
1) In most counties, trips are available only for medical trips, although some counties are unable to provide trips to regional medical centers for dialysis, radiation and chemotherapy due to insufficient funding.
2) Most counties are unable to provide any evening or weekend services.
3) Most counties are unable to provide shopping trips for necessities such as groceries and toiletries and, most counties are unable to provide trips to social functions such as religious services, programs at senior center or community events.
1000 Friends is focusing on Elderly and Disabled transportation in this budget because this program is a key component to creating a balanced transportations system of local roads, transit, bicycle and pedestrian routes and more. Without viable services for those who cannot or choose not to drive today, we will not be able to build a transportation system that promotes sustainable land use patterns in the future. We also continue to work to promote 21st century transportation solutions, such as high speed, commuter, and light rail, as well as public transportation and bike/ped projects � but our top priority right now is increasing the Elderly and Disabled Transportation County Aids Funding.
The state spends $1.3 billion per year on state highways and just $8 million on Elderly and Disabled Transportation County Aids. This spending disparity is symptomatic of funding problems across our transportation system including transit and bicycle and pedestrian projects. Contact your legislator and Governor Doyle today and ask them to:
1) Prioritize the needs of our older adults and people with disabilities so that all Wisconsin residents have access to a balanced transportation system.
2) Increase Elderly and Disabled Transportation County Aids by $6 million over the next two years: to $10 million in 2006 and $12 million in 2007.
You can contact Governor Doyle at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] or call his office at 608/266-1212
You can find email contact information for your particular legislators at <http://www.legis.state.wi.us/leginfo/senmail.asp>http://www.legis.state.wi.us/leginfo/senmail.asp (senators) <http://www.legis.state.wi.us/leginfo/asmmail.asp>http://www.legis.state.wi.us/leginfo/asmmail.asp (assembly)
Please don�t hesitate to make your voice heard today!
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