Today is Don't X Out Public Transit Day

Today is a national day of action asking Congress not to X out Public Transportation.

The day is of action is focused on what the real world local impacts would be to transit systems if the proposed House Republican cuts went through in a future transportation bill at the federal level.

In conjunction with the day of action across the country APTA has released a report highlighting the local impacts by state if the House cuts plan went through. First and foremost, under the Republican plan over 600,000 transit jobs cut across the country would be lost. Additionally, the House cuts plan would slash new starts funding as well as capital budgets in a way that would hurt nearly every transit agency in Washington State.  At a time when our transit agencies' budgets are already constrained these national cuts would likely lead to further service cuts across the state.  A reduction in new starts would have grave impacts for Metro’s Rapid Ride program and Sound Transit’s University Link.  In sum, APTA estimates that under the House reduction plan WA State transit agencies would lose $565 million dollars over the next 6 years and over 20,000 jobs!



What can you do? Click Here and tell Congress not to X out public transportation!

 

Is the Federal Gas Tax on its Way Out?

The infrastructurist reported earlier this week that the federal gas tax is set to expire in September.

Under normal circumstances Congress would reauthorize the gas tax so the federal government could continue to help states fix their crumbling bridges and highways.  But in this crazy time, you never know what Congress will do.

The federal gas tax is a primary source of funding for transportation for state and the federal government. Since 1993, Congress has not raised the gas tough enough to even keep up with inflation.  As a result, America’s roads and transit systems are falling into a state of disrepair. If the gas tax are about to expires states would have to make up for the loss by increasing their own gas tax in order to maintain their infastructure.

A scary scenario and the article is worth a quick read.

APRIL FRIDAY FORUM:Transit Funding in a Divided Congress & What it Means to You

A few weeks ago we sent out an action alert to asking you to help us save King County Metro's Rapid Ride from drastic funding cuts proposed by the House Republicans in Congress.

Next week we will be bringing you an all star panel to give you all of the information you need on what is going on with transit and transportation funding in Congress.  Will the House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and the President be able to agree on a compromise transportation funding bill? Will the House majoirty follow through on their plan to slash New Starts funding and defund Rapid Ride and other important regional projects? With gas prices and demand for transit climbing, how will Congress respond?

Looking into the crystal ball isn't easy, but with these rock star panelists, we'll give it our best shot.  As always feel free to bring your lunch and there will be plenty of time for Q and A!

Speakers:

Sheila Babb, Deputy State Director for U.S. Senator Patty Murray
Larry Ehl, Federal Relation Manager, WSDOT
Ron Posthuma, Deputy Director, King County DOT

WHAT: Federal Transportation Funding Update & Its Impact on YOU
WHEN: Friday APRIL 1st, 12:00 -1:30 pm
WHERE: Seattle-King County Public Health - Chinook Building, Room 121, 401 Fifth Ave.,Seattle

UPDATE: Details Sparse for Rep. Mica's Congressional Visit to Vancouver, WA

There is word on the street the Congressmen John Mica, the new Republican Chair of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be visiting Vancouver Washington to conduct a listening session.

Despite numerous attempts to gather information it has been impossible to nail down the details on this government funding forum even though it is in a few days.  Transportation Choices is working with the Cascade Bike club and Oregon partners to make sure we have a good turnout of advocates for transportation choices at this important event.  So, please keep checking back to this blog post where I will put updated details on the event as we learn more and they get confirmed.

Here are the details so far (none of them confirmed at this point):

Location: Clark County Public Utility Building, 1200 Fort Vancouver (at Mill Plain).

Attending: Congressmen DeFazio and Herrera Beutler with Mica

Invited Testimony:

Chandra Brown, United Streetcar, Portland

WSDOT CRC project team

AGC (Association of General Contractors)

WA Policy Center

Founder of Notolls.com

One topic covered will be the Columbia River Crossing.  There might be public testimony at 10am.

We will keep you posted as we learn more!

UPDATE:

The time and date of this event has been confirmed.  It will be at 9am on the 21st at Clark County Public Utility Building, 1200 Fort Vancouver (at Mill Plain).

We are hearing there will be public comment taken at this event during the second half of the forum!

A Press release announcing the event has been released! It will be at the time and location indicated and there will be public testimony! The Columbian has the scoop

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/feb/16/herrera-beutler-host-transportation-committee-meet/

Safe Routes to Schools Partnership Asks you to Thank Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-MN) for His Leadership

Here is a note from the safe routes to schools national partnership regarding the loss of Jim Oberstar in Congress, one of the most vocal advocates for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit in Congress. 

November 3, 2010

Dear Safe Routes to School supporter,

As you have probably heard, Congressman James L. Oberstar (D-MN) lost his House seat in a close electoral race.

Rep. Oberstar initiated the federal Safe Routes to School pilot projects in the year 2000, and then authored the original Safe Routes to School legislation that created the national program in all 50 states.  As Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he had proposed strengthening Safe Routes to School in the next surface transportation bill.

Below you will find a letter to Congressman Oberstar from the Safe Routes to School National Partnership thanking him for his leadership and vision on Safe Routes to School and national transportation policy. 

We encourage Safe Routes to School supporters across the country to take a few moments to send an e-mail or letter to Congressman Oberstar to thank him for his legacy of creating the Safe Routes to School program.  Please share how Safe Routes to School has positively impacted you, your children and your community - this will mean a lot to Congressman Oberstar.  He has indicated in speeches that Safe Routes to School is his legacy and has the potential to "change the habits of an entire generation."  You can send personal notes to Congressman Oberstar at jim.oberstar@mail.house.gov.

We will have more details on the elections in our November 10 issue of E-news.  In the meantime, please know that we have built many allies and supporters in Congress for Safe Routes to School, and that the Safe Routes to School National Partnership will redouble our advocacy efforts for this bipartisan program.  We look forward to working with you on our mutual goals.