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The
House Transportation Subcommittee has voted to eliminate
federal funding for bicycle facilities from the
2004 budget, redirecting that money to HIGHWAYS.
If this plan succeeds, highway funding will receive
$34.1 billion (a $2.5 billion increase over 2003)
and bicycle/pedestrian projects will receive $0
from Enhancements.
A
vote by the full Appropriations Committee is scheduled
for Monday, July 21. PLEASE
CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TODAY
and ask them to restore Enhancements!
Not only does this move eliminate the most important
source of federal funding for bike facilities in
2004, it also sets a bad precedent for the the next
6 year transportation bill, jeopardizing the bicycle
community's efforts to strengthen existing programs,
build safer roads, and create a strong statewide
Safe Routes to School program.
If your Congressman is listed below then your Representative
is a member of the House Appropriations Committee
and it is vital that you CALL
TODAY! Cyclists across Texas and the nation
are depending on the cycling constituents of the
Appropriations committee.
| Henry
Bonilla (R-San
Antonio) |
(202)
225-4511 |
| Chet
Edwards (D-Waco) |
(202)
225-6105 |
| Kay
Granger R-Fort Worth |
(202)
225-5071 |
| John
Abney Culberson R-Houston |
(202)
225-2571 |
- Ask
to speak to the staffer who works on Transportation
Appropriations.
- Introduce
yourself. If you represent a club or business,
say so.
- Be
polite! Ask them to "restore funding in the
2004 budget for Enhancements and other programs
that help build a balanced transportation system."
A
national effort is organized through the Texas Bicycle
Coalition's national counterpart, America Bikes.
Please read more at www.americabikes.org/saveenhancements.
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