Senator Jim DeMint, the South Carolina Republican who said that directing stim funds toward bicycle and hiking infrastructure
will not help the economy or create jobs, has gone too far. He and
Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma have just proposed an
amendment that would kill all stimulus funds for bike and hiking
trails.
In a statement, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer said it shows how short-sighted and out of touch Republicans are:
Investment in bike paths will not only improve oureconomy, and take our country in the right direction for our future; itis precisely the kind of investment the American people want. Americanfamilies have indicated time and again in the passage of bond measuresacross the country that they favor spending on alternativetransportation, such as bicycles and mass transit, over spending onmore highway capacity. Americans want a real solution to the economiccrisis, not just a band-aid fix. These investments will stimulate theeconomy in the present and point our nation toward the economic andenvironmental realities of the future.
Call or write DeMint and Coburn and tell them what investing in bicycle infrastructure really means:
Coburn's Washington office: 202-224-5754 or email.
DeMint's Washington office: 202-224-6121 or email.
And then call Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and tell them to kill the amendment:
Schumer's Washington office: 202-224-6542 or email.
Gillibrand's Washington office: 202-224-4451 (no official email yet).
