Despite the struggling economic recovery and 9.2% unemployment rate, the debate in Washington D.C. and state capitals around the nation is centered around a singular vision of blindly slashing government spending, rather than creating jobs for Americans. Transportation funding has not been left off Congress’s austerity agenda. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman, John Mica (R-FL), recently released his draft transportation re-authorization outline, which proposes transportation funding cuts of roughly 35% and eliminates any set-aside of transportation funds for pedestrian and cycling projects. These cuts are estimated to result in over 44,000 jobs lost for New York State.
In front of Sen Kirsten Gillibrand's office: Buffalo Urban Leauge, New York Communities for Change, NYSTEA, Reconnect Rochester, Transportation Alternatives, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and WE ACT
The release of this proposal coincided with a conference in D.C. hosted by the Transportation Equity Caucus, a national transportation coalition working on the re-authorization. NYSTEA members were invited to this conference to discuss our state’s transportation equity issues as well as share experiences with other organizations throughout the country. During our visit to D.C. we also delivered our message to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and key members of New York Congressional delegation.
All across New York State, transit agencies are cutting service and increasing fares. Long Island bus riders like Angela Davis (a member of New York Communities for Change) who participated in the D.C. visit, are facing the privatization of their transit system. Congestion, sprawl, dangerous roads for bicyclists and pedestrians, and transit worker layoffs are the norms in many cities and towns across the nation. The current GOP vision for the transportation bill does not address these issues nor does it help our economy and our nation get on the path towards a 21st century transportation system that benefits all New Yorkers regardless of race, color, class, ability, age, and preferred mode of transportation!
The Senate is currently working on their version of the re-authorization and it is critical that New York elected officials stand up against the Mica proposal and support a transportation bill that moves our country and state in a new direction. Before the August recess, NYSTEA plans to deliver a letter to the New York delegation with a strong statement of support from a broad coalition of groups around the state. Please review our letter here and email info@nystea.net to add your organization’s voice to our effort.
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