Don't be suckered into supporting this. The entire transportation bill should be left on the cutting room floor.
By continuing to cator to increasing growth in motor vehicle traffic in the U.S., already the leading contributor of greenhouse gases from transportation and fuel burning in general, passage of the transportation bill will fuel further destruction of the planet, its atmosphere, and its living ecosytems. It's time to stop the madness of over-building the U.S. highway system now, rather than letting it continue for yet another several more years. http://madison.indymedia.org/newswire/display/25021/index.php Mike Neuman --------- Forwarded message ---------- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 09:53:55 -0400 Subject: America Bikes Update: Final Days of Reauthorization! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Final Days of Reauthorization: Dont Let Up Now! After more than two years of debate over the eventual funding level for the next surface transportation bill, we are now inside the final two weeks of action! One more call to your members of Congress or one more meeting while Members are back home in their districts this week could make all the difference between important pro-bicycling provisions staying in the bill or being left on the cutting room floor! As we reported last week, Congress has passed an eighth and hopefully final extension to TEA-21 that carries us through July 19th; and the House and Senate have reportedly agreed on a total funding package of $286.5 billion over the six years of the bill. These two actions mean that the outcome of years of debate, meetings, proposals and negotiations all hinge on decisions made in the next two weeks. Now is the time to make sure all the hard work weve put in to ensure the law has strong provisions for bicycling and walking comes to fruition. We are extremely grateful that core programs such as Transportation Enhancements and Congestion Mitigation remain in the legislation with robust funding levels. However, in the rush to finish the legislation, your call or visits to your members of Congress in the next few days can also help make these critical differences: a) The fair share for safety policy language in the Senate bill is included in the final legislation this will ensure adequate funding is directed towards improving bicyclist and pedestrian safety b) The House funding level (or closer to it) and policy language are adopted for the new Safe Routes to School program the Senate bill has $312 million over five years compared to $875 million in the House c) The House funding level (or closer to it) is adopted for the Recreational Trails program the Senate bill has $280 million versus $503 million in the House. For more information on each of these America Bikes priorities and additional issues, see the fact sheets on each key issue at the top of this page. There's also a one-pager you can send to your contacts. Armed with this information, please contact your Representative and Senators by either Calling the capital switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or Looking up local contact information at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov. And remember, when America Bikes, America Benefits! Gently remind your Members of Congress that these policies and programs arent just good for bicycling; they are good for individuals, the community and the nation. Thanks for your help. The America Bikes team _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
