Action Alert: Help Rep. Oberstar Support Mass Transit
Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn.A lot of Streetsblog Network members are already starting to wind down for the holidays, and we're all for that. But in Washington, where lawmakers are working on an economic stimulus bill, things are happening that could have major ramifications for many years to come.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Minnesota Democratic Rep. James Oberstar, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is advocating that mass transit should receive a significant portion of the proposed transportation stimulus money:
He is suggesting Congress steer $30 billion to highways and bridgesand $12 billion to transit -- part of $85 billion being discussed fortransportation spending in the stimulus plan.
These figures may change, but it would be a significant policy shiftif Congress were to pass a bill that provides mass-transit fundingequal to 40% of the total spent on highways. For years, Congress hasfunded public-transportation projects at 25% of the level that has goneto highways, which is currently about $42 billion a year.
Oberstar is pushing against entrenched tradition on this point. Transportation for America has done some analysis of what states have asked for from a stimulus package, and the requests are heavily
weighted toward highways. So T4A is calling for us to take action and ask our Congressional representatives to put the money to smarter uses.
Let's throw some support behind Oberstar.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Wednesday’s Headlines Ask How Much a Life Is Worth
There isn't much of a financial penalty for drivers who kill pedestrians — especially if those drivers are cops.
‘I’m Not Grieving Alone’: New Play Explores a Father’s Journey After Losing Two Children to Traffic Violence
Collin Campbell and his wife Gail Lerner lost both their children in a car crash with impaired driver. A new play explores why he
How Transit Saved Lives — And Became a Lifeline — During and After the Maui Fires
A Hawaii bus agency helped transport 42,000 people off the island in the wake of the most devastating fires in the state's history — and highlighted the critical role that shared modes can play not just in preventing climate-related disasters, but saving lives when they happen.
Tuesday’s Headlines Triple the Fun
Amtrak is staffing up and ready to spend the $66 billion it received from the bipartisan federal infrastructure law.
Pols: Congress Must Bolster Sustainable Commutes to Reduce Carbon and Congestion
The feds should bolster sustainable commuting modes and transportation demand management strategies.
