Action Needed on Transportation Bills

Dear Friends,

For many reasons ranging from environmental to fiscal, transportation in America is at a crossroads.  We can either (1) continue along the decades-old path of new highway construction at the expense of all else, or (2) shift our focus to maintaining existing roads while investing in the infrastructure for bus, passenger train, bicycle and pedestrian travel.

Next week, the Iowa Legislature will debate HF 2691 and SF 2420, companion bills that will determine how proposed new transportation revenues will be spent.  Lobbyists for the special interests that want nearly all the new revenue for roads and highways have a powerful presence at the Statehouse, and lavish generous campaign contributions on lawmakers who support their one-sided agenda.  Their voices have been heard loud and clear in work on this legislation so far.

Those of us who want more balance and fairness in how our taxes are spent on transportation need to weigh in right away.  Call, e-mail or visit your senator and representative this weekend.  Ask that more be done to fill potholes, maintain existing roads and highways, and invest in sustainable alternatives to car travel.  (Note:  The Des Moines metro’s bus system only receives 6% of its budget from the state, whereas the Twin Cities’ transit system receives 63%.)

For an excellent discussion of the importance of this legislation and the timeliness of speaking up now, visit the link below.  Stephanie Weisenbach with 1000 Friends of Iowa does a great job at making the case for more balance in transportation funding.

Thanks, and here’s the link:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008804110354

Ed Fallon