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Show Your Support for Transit at the Transportation Rally & Thank Your Senator for Supporting Transit
You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the
directions at the bottom.
We need to pass a balanced transportation bill that includes funding for public transit.
Senate:
The Senate passed the transportation bill on a 42-24 vote. The Senate bill included 80% of a 7-county metro sales tax to transit (5% of total to bicycle, pedestrian and transit-oriented development projects).
To override a Governor’s veto, we need 45 votes. Thus, we need to get the two Democrats who voted against the bill and one Republican, pick up one of the Democrats and two Republicans, or pick up three Republicans to override a veto.
House:
The House passed the transportation bill on an 83-46 vote. The House bill included 100% of a 5-county metro sales tax (Scott and Carver counties could opt in by County resolution) to transportation (no minimum % to transit defined).
Five Republicans voted for the bill and four Democrats voted against the bill. To override a veto, we need a total of 90 votes.
In both bodies, un-friendly amendments to require a referendum or County Commissioner vote on the sales tax, or to pull off the sales tax completely were soundly defeated.
At this juncture, Transit for Livable Communities strongly supports the Senate Transportation bill. We are neutral, however, on the House transportation bill as there is no minimum funding guaranteed for transit. It is our hope that the Conference Committee (to be named sometime soon) will retain the Senate language allocating 80% of the metro sales tax to transit.
To win, we need your support at the Transportation Rally on the Capitol Steps at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 12th, 2007. We will have signs and a petition to the Governor. Contact Patience Caso for more information on the Rally, 651-767-0298, ext. 110 or PatienceC@tlcminnesota.org
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:
Your State Senator
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.
Thank You for Voting Yes for Transit
Dear Senator,
I want to thank you for your vote to pass the transportation funding bill. Dedicating the metro sales tax primarily to transit is very important to me.
A transportation system is a region’s circulatory system—and transitways are the arteries. Each transit line, whether it’s a rail line or a bus line, creates a healthier transportation system, making it easier for all Minnesotans to reach their destinations.
Minnesotans should not have to wait a quarter century for the transportation results we need now. With at least half a million new residents living in the metro area by 2020, we need to have the courage to invest in a future that takes care of all of our state’s residents.
Thank you for your courage.
Sincerely,
Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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