| ALERT!
Trail funding comes down to the wire in Congressional debate – and your help is needed NOW!
Compromises are being made in conference and may be devastating for trails!
The House and Senate began a conference committee in early May to try to reconcile their two versions of a new surface transportation bill. Until this week, it has appeared that there were irreconcilable differences and many leaders in the trails world projected there most likely would be another extension until following the election. However affairs have DRAMATICALLY changed over the last couple of days, and there may very well be a bill by the June 30th deadline, when the current authorization expires.
David Hawkings of CQ Roll Call projects this is the final stretch and that there will be a handshake agreement on the highway bill between John Mica and Barbara Boxer by tomorrow evening. Mr. Hawkings states in today’s Daily Briefing, “All the indications are that both those top negotiators and their House and Senate leaders are starting to lower their hard lines on almost all the contentious issues – meaning federal transportation policy may yet get remade this summer to last through the end of next year. Yesterday’s whopping 386-34 vote in the House directing conferees to wrap up their work by the weekend is a clear sign that conservative resistance to a new public works package is fading fast and that Boehner and his fellow leaders have decided they want the bill more than the issue.” He continues, “Democratic negotiators yesterday sounded near agreement to give the House a measure of satisfaction on environmental streamlining rules for road projects, consolidating Transportation Department programs and giving states more options to shed federal mandates for roadside enhancements.”
Compromises are being made in conference and may be devastating for trails! The trails community has worked tirelessly to secure dedicated funding for Recreational Trails, Transportation Enhancements, and Safe Routes to School. Under new discussions, these programs are at great risk, as one proposal gives Governors the opportunity to opt out of these programs.
As the debate in Congress continues, NOW is a crucial time to let your Senators and Representative know that you support funding for trails and bike/pedestrian facilities.
ACTION NEEDED:
The message is simple, tell your members of Congress:
Please preserve dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Enhancements, and Safe Routes to School.
Call or email your members of Congress now:
And, if you live in California, it is especially important to ask Senator Barbara Boxer, Chair of the Conference Committee, to stay strong on protecting dedicated funding for trails, walking, and bicycling. Senator Boxer’s Washington office number is (202) 224-3553. |
