URGENT: Vote This Week to Target Trail Funding!

Senator Coburn’s amendment, if successful, could set our nation’s trail, walking and bicycling movement back decades.     —Keith Laughlin, President, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Dear Will, I cannot stress enough how important it is that we prevent one of the most disturbing attacks on trails, walking and bicycling that we have ever experienced. Please join me in speaking up against this attack right now. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a six-month "clean" extension of the federal transportation bill ("SAFETEA-LU"). We anticipate strong bipartisan support to continue all transportation funding, including trails, walking and bicycling, for six months to give Congress time to agree on a multi-year bill. The Senate will then vote on this House bill. However, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) confirmed with Senator Tom Coburn's (Okla.) office that he plans to introduce an amendment to eliminate the dedicated set-aside for the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program from the extension. He may even go so far as to filibuster to get his way, blocking the whole bill, including maintenance and construction of roads, bridges and transit. TE is the nation’s largest funding source for trails, walking and bicycling. We cannot—and must not—sit by while Sen. Coburn holds our nation’s transportation system hostage to attack a popular, cost-effective program that provides affordable transportation, creates jobs and improves health. Please ask your senators to stand up to this brazen, misguided attack now. Not only do trails provide all of the above benefits, but communities crave them! In poll after poll, through local resolutions and more, we know that communities greatly value their trails and opportunities to safely and conveniently walk and bike to get where they’re going. I’m always disappointed when I learn of opposition to trails and active transportation. These programs really have no downsides, and for such a minimal cost! The savings that would result from cutting these crucial programs account for less than two cents on every dollar that goes to other transportation programs. Thanks for joining me, Kevin Mills Vice President of Program Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy 2121 Ward Ct., NW 5th Floor Washington, DC 20037 +1-202-331-9696