I work for an organization called Transit for Livable Communities. TLC is a non-profit citizen organization that advocates for a balanced transportation system including more choices for transit, biking and walking. We conduct research that documents the costs and benefits of our current transportation system. We also provide opportunities for involvement to bus riders and transit supporters so that their voices are heard when decisions are made. We are also an educational resource to the public, the media, legislators and institutions, committed to a deeper public discussion about the need for more transportation choices. If you would like to learn more about our organization or sign up for our network online please visit our website at www.tlcminnesota.org.
The governor and the legislature must do everything they can to end the transit strike and get our region moving again. Submitting to binding arbitration, as the union has requested, on the outstanding issues would end the strike and allow a neutral party to determine a fair outcome. It would save businesses, families and workers thousands of hours and perhaps millions of dollars. Met Council Chairperson Peter Bell has said over and over that there is no money to resolve the strike. We believe that this dispute has its roots in our region's larger policy choices to under-invest in our transit system. On what can only be characterized as a "starvation diet" for decades, transit has been further burdened by three budget cuts in the last three years. The Twin Cities invests only 65% of what our peer competitor regions invest in transit per capita. With cities like Denver, Dallas and Phoenix creating 21st century transportation systems, the Twin Cities simply cannot afford the additional step backward of a long transit strike. The real, long term solution to this problem is not something either the Met Council or the bus drivers' union can resolve--state government must reform our inflexible and outdated transportation funding system, so that citizens have real choices. We must set goals for the system as a whole, so that public transit and other choices can be fully, fairly considered. Citizens from every walk of life want a more balanced, cost effective transportation system in the Twin Cities region. And if a costly strike can be ended by agreeing to binding arbitration, shouldn't the Governor do everything he can to use this as a way to save all of us hard-earned time and money? Dan Walsh St. Paul REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
