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Protect Funding for Transit, Bikes
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Progressive Portal
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May 16, 2005 12:45 PDT
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PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SIX-YEAR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING BILL
WOULD ELIMINATE BILLIONS FOR MASS TRANSIT, BIKE TRAILS, ETC.
* Act immediately - Senate vote scheduled for evening of 16 May 2005 *
[From the Natural Resources Defense Council <http://www.nrdc.org>]
As this alert is posted, the Senate is working on its version of a
six-year transportation funding bill, S. 732, officially labeled the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act
(SAFETEA) of 2005. In its current form the bill calls for expenditures
of $295 billion, $11 billion more than the Bush Administration and House
of Representatives have agreed to. But Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) has
offered a surprise amendment that would bring spending planned in the
Senate bill back into line with the Bush proposal and the House version
- almost entirely by slashing funding for projects that reduce smog and
encourage smart growth, including funding for public transit and for
bike paths and trails.
Sessions's amendment wouldn't touch spending on highways, which accounts
for the bulk of the proposed expenditures. Instead, it targets smaller,
community-oriented programs. It would, for example:
* Cut $4 billion from a program called Congestion Mitigation Air Quality
Improvement, which provides funds for programs designed to improve air
quality, such as the construction of bicycle trails, in areas that do
not meet federal standards for air quality. A cut of this magnitude
would effectively cripple the program.
* Trim $1.1 billion from a community-based program known as
Transportation Enhancements (TE), the largest source of federal funding
for trails and sidewalks. Since 1991 TE has been responsible for more
than 18,000 small-scale, locally-initiated projects that promote
alternative transportation, healthy recreational activities, and
community pride. The non-profit organization Rails to Trails Conservancy
estimates that more than 3,000 projects across the country to be at
risk.
Over the long haul these cuts would have immeasurable negative effects
on public health, quality of life, and the environment. Urge your
Senators now to reject the Sessions amendment to the transportation bill
(S. 732)
Take Action
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Send a message to your Senators at:
http://www.nrdcaction.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=52763
More Information
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http://www.dirtragmag.com/web/news-article.php?ID=434
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