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Support bus funding: contact the Governor (2009)
You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the
directions at the bottom.
The Governor has indicated that he will sign the transportation bill passed by the house and senate. Make sure he hears from transit supporters!
The House/Senate conference committee on transportation wrote a bill that (mostly) fixes the transit deficit for 2010-2011. While a less-than-perfect bill (the final language does draw money from transit-supportive programs), it is still a solution that will likely avoid service cuts and fare increases. The bill is going to the Governor's desk, and he has indicated that he will sign it!
Transit and the transportation bill:
The House/Senate conference committee met all day Saturday and Sunday to conclude their negotiations on the transportation bill. The bill includes sufficient funding to avoid a fare increase or service cut over the next two years. It combines transfers from other Met Council programs, use of reserves and stimulus funds, and an "accelerated phase-in" of the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax to transit. Combined, these funds will cover the $62 million deficit and the across-the-board 7.6% cut to the general fund (all general fund programs are taking this reduction).
The good news for transit is that legislators, the Met Council and the Governor worked together to fix the problem. Even though this is just a one-time solution, this is a new demonstration of momentum for buses and trains in Minnesota.
Why we still have work to do:
Despite the momentum for transit, we still lack a long-term solution to meet the needs of current and future transit riders. The buses are the foundation of a strong transit system. But it has shrunk 10% since 2002 (by the Met Council's own documents). So we'll keep working after the session is over for good solutions to this ongoing dilemma!
Action Needed:
Let's make sure Governor Pawlenty knows that his constituents support transit! Contact Governor Pawlenty with two messages:
1. Ask him to sign the transportation bill. It's not perfect, but Peter Bell, the chair of the Met Council, indicated that Governor Pawlenty is willing to sign it.
2. Tell him we want long-term solutions. Without sustainable funding for the buses, we will end up with this same problem two years from now. We will continue to work for sustainable solutions for transit funding after the session is over.
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:
Governor
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.
Support transit!
Dear Governor,
As a transit supporter in Minnesota, I am writing in support of the transportation bill sent to you from the House and Senate. Although it isn't perfect, I appreciate the work of the Met Council and House and Senate leaders to find a solution to the current deficit.
I am also writing to urge you to work with House and Senate leaders in the next year to identify more consistent funding for transit. The bus system is the foundation of service in the metro area and greater Minnesota and ridership is growing by leaps and bounds. We need everyone at the table to make sure that the Minnesotans who can't drive or don't own a car can fully contribute to our communities.
Thank you. Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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