New transportation bill takes us backwards — do your reps know what's in it?
More than 1,000 days after the last transportation bill expired, Congress finally voted to approve a new transportation bill just moments ago (6/29/12). Unfortunately for those hoping for a bold step into the future, this bill represents a definite step backwards, the last gasp of an outdated 20th century program.
Many of your Representatives and Senators have no idea what this bill actually does. To call or write to them and let them know what's in it and how you feel about it, enter your zip code and your address to locate all of your representatives and their phone numbers. Then either write them an email message or pick up the phone.
If you need them, here are some points from the email you received that you can paste into a message or share over the phone.
This just-passed transportation bill dedicates zero dollars to repairing our roads and bridges, cuts the amount of money that cities and local governments would have received, makes a drastic cut in the money available to prevent the deaths of people walking or biking, and ensures that you have less input and control over major projects that affect you and the quality of your community.
Despite record demand for public transportation service, this deal cut the emergency provisions to preserve existing transit service, does little to expand that service and actually removed the small provision equalizing the tax benefit for transit and parking.
Gas prices are trending ever upward. Demand for public transportation is booming like never before. Demographic shifts show a more diverse America with fewer young people driving and huge increases in demand for more walkable towns and suburbs. More and more people are clamoring for safer streets and healthier communities.
This bill represents the last gasp of a 20th century transportation program that has run out of steam.
