All. Here is the press release that was sent out this week regarding bike
funding in the new state budget
Mike Rewey
******************************
For immediate release
Contact: Jack Hirt, Executive Director
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
1845 N Farwell Ave Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI
(414) 807-4508
Bike Fed scores budget funding victory, despite disappointment with partial veto
MADISON – There is a new line item in the state budget, with $2.7
million of funding dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian projects. That’s the
good news according to Jack Hirt, Executive Director of the Bicycle Federation
of Wisconsin (BFW). Hirt said this is the first Wisconsin budget that has a
single fund showing the state’s commitment to funding bike and pedestrian
projects. This creates a funding source where bicycle and pedestrian projects
are only competing among themselves instead of competing with other enhancement
projects such as highway beautification.
The BFW had requested $19.1 million be the total dollar amount in this
fund. Hirt said the money would have been comprised of the $2.7 million
combined with $14.6 million coming from the percentages of two other federal
transportation sources that have historically been spent on bicycle and
pedestrian projects plus an additional $1.8 million. “Both the Assembly and
Senate saw the value of specifically designating these transportation funds for
bike and pedestrian uses in a single line item,” Hirt said. He explained that
the full $19.1 million was in the budget sent to Gov. Jim Doyle.
With disappointment to BFW the governor partially vetoed the item,
reducing the funding in this line item from the amount the BFW had requested to
$2.7 million, which represents an increase in funding from the 2006-07 budget.
In addition, the governor returned the other $14.6 million back into the two
original funding sources, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality and
Transportation Enhancements, resulting in the money still being available for
bike and pedestrian projects, but they will again be competing against other
types of projects such as highway beautification as they've done in the past.
“Under our request, funds for bike and pedestrian projects would have
been set aside in the bike and pedestrian facilities fund exclusively for those
uses, and increased by $4.5 million rather than the $2.7 million of additional
money allowed by the Governor,” Hirt explained.
“We are very disappointed with the partial veto,” Hirt said. He will
request a meeting with the governor as soon as possible to discuss the need for
increased funding clearly committed to bike and pedestrian projects.
According to Hirt, during the last budget cycle over 90 worthwhile projects
throughout the state were not funded due to lack of money in the budget.
“These projects alone show a need for over $50 million in funding for bike and
pedestrian facilities,” Hirt noted. “Our proposal for $19 million in a separate
line item would not have met all of the needs of local governments and citizens
across the state for safe places to bike and walk, but it would have
demonstrated the state’s willingness to at least move toward meeting those
needs,” he added.
Hirt pledged that the BFW will continue to lead efforts across Wisconsin to
increase funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. “The budget line item
and $2.7 million in increased funding is a start,” Hirt said, “but we will not
stop there.” He said the need is great, with local leaders throughout the
state asking the BFW to help them get the money needed to provide better, safer
places to bike and walk. Hirt said the BFW is doing exactly that. “I want to
meet with the governor and explain to him the statewide need for more funding
and a definite commitment to bike and pedestrian facilities,” Hirt said. In
his veto message, Doyle expressed concern about allowing the DOT the
flexibility to decide between a variety of transportation projects if requests
for bike and pedestrian funds decline. “I believe that it is a misconception
that there is a declining need for bike and pedestrian funding,". Hirt said.
According to Hirt, the need is increasing, not decreasing, as more people look
for non-polluting and cheaper means of transportation and more recreational
opportunities.
“Wisconsin could be the national leader in biking and pedestrian facilities,”
Hirt explained. Instead, Wisconsin ranks near the bottom in use of federal
transportation dollars for bike and pedestrian purposes. “We want to convince
the governor to work with us to make Wisconsin a better place to bicycle,” Hirt
said.
--
Michael Rewey
Madison, WI
cell 608.698.6673
home 608.249.6673
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