Groovy Girl
08-12-2003, 09:00 AM
Educating and influencing US House members from TX could be very important to this issue. Please take a moment to read the following and call them.
The Gravest Threat to Texas Bicycling Since the Proposed Bike Ban in 2001
As many of you know, last month the U.S. House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee voted to ELIMINATE the Transportation Enhancements that fund 70 percent of bicycle facilities across the nation. This money would instead go to highways, increasing highway funding to $34.1 billion. While the $600 million in Enhancement money will barely make a difference in the transportation budget (accounting for less than 2% of the total), Enhancements are VITAL to ensuring that bicycle facilities and trails continue to be built.
Did you know: The Transportation Enhancements program has helped build nearly 8,000 bike and trails projects across the country, and has been the source of more than $1.5 billion in federal funds going to bike and pedestrian projects since 1991? (Find out more about Enhancement projects in your area at: www.enhancements.org.)
Even though President Bush included Enhancements in his proposed transportation bill (SAFE-TEA), Enhancement funding is still gravely threatened by Subcommittee Chairman Ernest Istook (R-OK) and other highway-only special interests. It is now time to call in our reserves, and we strongly urge YOU to help us fight this battle. This funding is critical: we need you to take action now and go the extra mile to demonstrate to Congress that these cuts will not go unnoticed and without a fight!
TAKE ACTION!
Reach out to your Congressperson while they’re on August recess in their districts. The House of Representatives is poised to vote against Enhancements just after Labor Day. It will take extraordinary citizen outcry to stop the elimination of Enhancement funding!
Call your U.S. Representative. To learn the name of your U.S. Representative visit www.house.gov and type in your zip code. All members can be reached through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121.
Ask for the staffer that works on transportation issues or his/her voice mail if unavailable. Identify yourself as a constituent, state your occupation and your club or business, if representing a group.
Ask them to "restore funding in the 2004 Transportation Appropriations for Enhancements and other programs that help diversify our transportation system - do more than just build highways."
Talk about the value of bicycling in your community and tell them about specific bike projects in your state, if you know them, and where transportation enhancements funding has helped. To read the extensive list of trail projects in Texas and elsewhere visit: www.enhancements.org.
If there was ever a time to act, it's now. Be a part of history and keep Enhancements from becoming history.
Need more information?
Visit www.biketexas.org or www.americabikes.org
Texas Bicycle Coalition
mail@biketexas.org
www.biketexas.org
The Gravest Threat to Texas Bicycling Since the Proposed Bike Ban in 2001
As many of you know, last month the U.S. House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee voted to ELIMINATE the Transportation Enhancements that fund 70 percent of bicycle facilities across the nation. This money would instead go to highways, increasing highway funding to $34.1 billion. While the $600 million in Enhancement money will barely make a difference in the transportation budget (accounting for less than 2% of the total), Enhancements are VITAL to ensuring that bicycle facilities and trails continue to be built.
Did you know: The Transportation Enhancements program has helped build nearly 8,000 bike and trails projects across the country, and has been the source of more than $1.5 billion in federal funds going to bike and pedestrian projects since 1991? (Find out more about Enhancement projects in your area at: www.enhancements.org.)
Even though President Bush included Enhancements in his proposed transportation bill (SAFE-TEA), Enhancement funding is still gravely threatened by Subcommittee Chairman Ernest Istook (R-OK) and other highway-only special interests. It is now time to call in our reserves, and we strongly urge YOU to help us fight this battle. This funding is critical: we need you to take action now and go the extra mile to demonstrate to Congress that these cuts will not go unnoticed and without a fight!
TAKE ACTION!
Reach out to your Congressperson while they’re on August recess in their districts. The House of Representatives is poised to vote against Enhancements just after Labor Day. It will take extraordinary citizen outcry to stop the elimination of Enhancement funding!
Call your U.S. Representative. To learn the name of your U.S. Representative visit www.house.gov and type in your zip code. All members can be reached through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121.
Ask for the staffer that works on transportation issues or his/her voice mail if unavailable. Identify yourself as a constituent, state your occupation and your club or business, if representing a group.
Ask them to "restore funding in the 2004 Transportation Appropriations for Enhancements and other programs that help diversify our transportation system - do more than just build highways."
Talk about the value of bicycling in your community and tell them about specific bike projects in your state, if you know them, and where transportation enhancements funding has helped. To read the extensive list of trail projects in Texas and elsewhere visit: www.enhancements.org.
If there was ever a time to act, it's now. Be a part of history and keep Enhancements from becoming history.
Need more information?
Visit www.biketexas.org or www.americabikes.org
Texas Bicycle Coalition
mail@biketexas.org
www.biketexas.org