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Federal Transit Funding is in Jeopardy!
You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the
directions at the bottom.
Your local bus system relies on federal transit dollars.
Congress is working right now to decide the funding level that will be provided for transit systems all over the country for the next 6 years. The reauthorization of TEA-21, the current 6-year plan will set the stage for transportation funding and policy into the future.
The US Senate has passed a bill that provides $56.5 billion for transit over the next 6 years. This represents a significant increase in funding and will help to expand and improve transit services.
The US House has passed a bill that provides $51.5 billion for transit, while the White House has proposed only $45.8 billion for transit. This level of funding provides no growth, setting up a situation in which rising prices for fuel, health care and other costs will leave transit systems struggling to maintain current levels of service.
The Administration is threatening to veto any bill that has a larger dollar amount than the White House proposal. We need our Senators and members of Congress to fight for a stronger funding bill so we can meet the needs of people all over Minnesota for transit systems that keep our economy moving.
This is a critical time in the process. A conference committee will be meeting to work out the final bill so we need to send a strong message NOW that the final dollar amount for transit needs to be one that allows for growth and improvement of transit services.
Please contact your federal representatives and urge them to support the funding level for transit contained in the Senate SAFETEA proposal.
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:
Your U.S. Representative
Your U.S. Senator
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.
Local transit systems need your support for increased federal funding.
Dear Representative,
I am writing to urge your support for a significant increase in transit funding to meet the growing demand for public transportation all across Minnesota.
As you work to develop a new six-year surface transportation authorization bill, please fight to ensure that Minnesota receives additional resources to expand and improve local bus and rail systems.
Local transit systems in Minnesota serve a critical role in getting people to work, in allowing people access to medical and other services, and ensuring that people remain active in their communities. Without public transportation, many people face increased isolation and communities face increased social costs.
Minnesota has fallen behind other states in terms of our investment in transit systems. Our metropolitan area transit system remains underfunded and in Greater Minnesota, seven counties have no public transit service at all.
Our quality of life in Minnesota is dependent on mobility. We've appreciated the strong partnership we've had with the federal government, state government and local units of government in funding needed transit services. We're counting on you to provide the additional federal funding we need over the course of the next six years to expand and improve transit services and keep our communities attractive, competitive places to live and work.
Please support the transit funding level ($56.5 billion) contained in the Senate SAFETEA bill (S1072) so we can continue to make progress in meeting the mobility needs of all Minnesotans.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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