Conference noted::bicycle

2944.0. "Legislative alert from LAB" by STARCH::WHALEN (Rich Whalen) Tue Apr 25 1995 17:21

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Subj:	From LAB: Action Alert on Enhancements $ 

ACTION ALERT!
FROM
THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS

Attention, bicycle advocates in:

Idaho,
Missouri
Montana 
Nevada,
New Hampshire
New York,
North Carolina,
Virginia


FROM: ALLEN GREENBERG
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR
LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS

SUBJECT: 
ISTEA ENHANCEMENTS PROGRAM ATTACK IN U.S. 
SENATE

APRIL 24, 1995

The Enhancements program of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency
Act
(ISTEA) is now under threat of attack in a Senate transportation subcommittee
by traditional highway
interests and bicycling detractors as a "diversion" of funds from other
needed highway
improvements. 

U.S. Senators from the above nine states could make the difference in whether
this attack succeeds.

The Enhancements program has provided funding for more bicycling amenities in
the
last three years ($560 million) than all other federal highway programs of
the last 40 years
combined.  Over one-half of all Enhancement dollars programmed have gone to
bicycle and
pedestrian improvements.  The Enhancements program, more than any other, has
led the
bicycling community to the table to demand consideration of our needs.

Now, as federal dollars are being cut in transportation and virtually all
other domestic discretionary spending
programs, powerful road-building interests and traditional highway
lobbyists are searching for ways to minimize their losses.  

They see the removal of the Enhancements set-aside as an easy way to recover
"lost" funds.  

The ongoing markup of the ISTEA-mandated National
Highway System bill (S. 440) in the Senate is the highway lobby's  most
likely vehicle for attacking Enhancements.

Currently, the Enhancements program language in S. 440 is great! 
However an "anti-Enhancements" amendment to S.440 is expected soon.  Although
none of the nine Senators on the Transportation
Infrastructure Subcommittee have idetified themselves as prospective sponsors
of
such an amendment, introduction of amendments require only a 24-hour notice
before a mark-up
session begins.  This gives us precious little time to prepare and makes a
preventative strategy critical.  

We need to make all nine members of this key
subcommittee Enhancements program supporters!

Call and write your U.S Senator from the following list today:  

John Warner (R-VA),
Robert Smith (R-NH), 
Dirk Kempthorne (R-ID), 
Christopher Bond (R-MO), 
Lauch Faircloth (R-NC), 
Max Baucus (D-MT), 
Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY), 
Harry Reid (D-NV), and
Bob Graham (D-FL).  

Ask for their commitment to preserve and strengthen the Transportation
Enhancements
provisions within ISTEA.  

Explain how important Enhancements projects have been to your
state or community.  Emphasize three things:  
(1) how new facilities make bicycling for
transportation a realistic option in urban and suburban communities; 
(2) how trails and bicycle
tourism create economic growth in small communities and rural areas; and 
(3) how bicycle and pedestrian friendly communities are "livable" communities
where working families and
businesses like to locate.


Write:  Senator ___, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510.  

Also call (202) 224-3121,
ask for your Senator's office, then ask to speak to their transportation
legislative assistant. 
Deliver the same message to them.  

Any questions, contact me, Allen Greenberg, at the
League of American Bicyclists at (202) 462-8376.  

If you have a chance, send me a copy of
your letters at 1400 16th St., N.W., Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20036.  

Together we can make a difference.  Thanks!

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