Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

One more try to save the Transportation enhancements package.  This affects the 
aquisition and maintenance of trails throughout the US.  

Adelia

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SAVE THE TRAILS!

Supporters Urged to Call Congress Before September 4 Vote

 

September 2, 2003 - The vote has been scheduled, and the fate of Transportation Enhancements (TE) will hang in the balance when the FY04 transportation appropriations bill (H.R. 2989) is considered on the House floor Thursday morning.  As passed by the House Appropriations Committee, H.R. 2989 would eliminate funding for TE - the largest source of funding for trails and other bicycle/pedestrian facilities.   We need your help to save Enhancements when the bill is considered by the full House!

 

Thanks to TE, America's communities enjoy over 17,000 small-scale, locally initiated transportation projects that promote health, safety, economic development and community pride.  From trails and sidewalks, to wildlife crossings and train station restorations, TE projects allow communities to make transportation investment decisions that greatly enhance their quality of life.  Amazingly, we achieve all this at a cost of about one and a half cents per federal surface transportation dollar. 

 

But H.R. 2989 would zero out TE funding, while increasing highway spending by $4.5 billion more than the President even requested!  It simply doesn't make sense to raid this small, successful program while finding billions more dollars for highways. 

 

RTC is fighting back and finding supporters in Congress.  Reps. Tom Petri (R-WI), John Olver (D-MA) and others are leading a bipartisan effort to restore Enhancements when the bill reaches the House floor.  On September 4, every vote will count!

 

Please take a moment on Wednesday to call your Representative in Washington, DC.  Urge them to:

 

"Save Transportation Enhancements

 by voting for the Petri-Olver amendment

to strike Section 114 from the

transportation appropriations bill - H.R. 2989."

 

Congressional offices track phone calls from constituents - your call can make a difference. This is a crucial moment, but with your help, our vision of America's communities - networks of trails, walkable neighborhoods, children bicycling to school - will win out.  Thank you for your continued support!

 

--For more details, including information on what the TE program has accomplished in your state, visit our web site at: www.railtrails.org/whatwedo/policy/tea21b.asp

 

--To find your Representative, just enter your zip code at: www.house.gov

 

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