From Rich Olken, of Bikes Belong, via Mike Matzuk (Eastcoasters Bike Shops):
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: ACTION ALERT - HIGHEST PRIORITY: Enhancements Under Attack
Date: Sat, 14 May 2005 22:17:12 -0400
From: Richard Olken <[email hidden]>
To: (Recipient list suppressed)
Dear Friends,
We are getting down to the wire, and all our gains for bicycling are again
under attack. Please take action IMMEDIATELY to assure that we can weather this
attack on the
future of bicycling.
Thanks!
Rich Olken
Date: Sat, 14 May 2005 18:52:55 -0700
From: "Rich Olken" <[email hidden]>
Subject: Enhancements Under Attack
New Attack on Enhancements: DEFEAT THE SESSIONS AMENDMENT
May 13, 2005 - As the Senate continued debate Thursday night on the
reauthorization of the nation's surface transportation legislation, Sen.
Jeff Sessions (R-AL) launched a surprise attack on Transportation
Enhancements. Sen. Sessions filed an amendment (Number 646) to cut the
overall bill by $10.7 billion, and he proposes to accomplish this by
outrageous cuts into some of the programs we care about most, including
a $1.1 billion cut in Transportation Enhancements (TE) and a $4 billion
reduction in the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement program
(CMAQ). Rather than seek cuts in the meat of the bill -- highway
spending -- he is attacking the small, efficient programs which bring
great benefits to the country and which communities across America
highly value. A vote on this amendment could happen as soon as Monday
evening!
Background
Transportation Enhancements (TE) is a popular, community-based program
which is the largest source of funding for trails and sidewalks. Since
the program's inception in 1991, TE has resulted in more than 18,000
small-scale, locally-initiated projects that promote transportation
alternatives, health, safety, economic development and community pride.
The amendment introduced by Sen. Sessions would gut TE funding and place
thousands of projects - Rails-to-Trails Conservancy estimates more than
3,000 projects across the country -- at risk.
CMAQ provides funding to areas where federal air quality standards are
not being met. Local communities use these funds on projects that will
improve air quality, which can include building trails to provide
transportation options. A $4 billion cut would cripple this important
environmental program.
What You Can Do
We contact you only when we need your help, and we need it now. Please
help fend off this sudden attack. Call or
send an e-mail message on Monday, May 16 to your U.S. senator. In your
communication, please ask your senator to protect Enhancements and CMAQ,
and vote "NO" on "Sessions Amendment 646" to the surface transportation
bill.
Contact List
To contact your senator by e-mail, visit http://www.senate.gov/ and then
go to your Senator's individual Web site to find contact information.
Richard Olken
Phone: 617-482-9995
Mobile: 617-426-0001
Email: [email hidden]
Richard Olken
Phone: 617-482-9995
Mobile: 617-426-0001
Email: [email hidden]
--
Mike Matzuk
East Coasters Bike Shops
Blacksburg & Roanoke, Va.
Phone: (540) 951-7433
Visit us @ eastcoasters.com
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