[Blindtlk] H.R. 3864 the American Energy and Infrastructure JobsFinancing Act

Thu Feb 9 02:02:52 UTC 2012

Steve, Marsha et al:

If this bill were to pass, it would, indeed, be something to be afraid of. But keep your shirts/blouses on, guys. This bill was drafted in the House; the current administration had absolutely *nothing* to do with it. Consider which party is in the majority in the House. This bill is ideologically-motivated and panders to the electoral base that the majority feels it is beholden to. This bill will not pass the Senate (if, it is even considered) in its present form. It's too radical. Put another way, it's more posturing to gain brownie points with the Republican ideological conservatives. But nothing this will pass the Senate, let alone be signed by President Obama who, as I"ve said, had nothing to do with this.

What *may* be endangered by this bill and *might* get through the legislative process are provisions that weeken the so-called Connelly amendment that gives Randolph-Sheppard priority in revenue from highway rest-stops. We may yet have to protest. But nothing as drastic as the current House bill language has a chance of becoming law.

Mike Freeman
sent via iPhone

On Feb 8, 2012, at 20:45, "Steven Johnson" <blinddog3 at charter.net> wrote:

> Marsha,
> It snuck up late on Thursday, and that was the first I had heard about, and
> actually questioned it and the authenticity.  However, after it was marked
> up, I did actually read the marked up bill which is actually only about 10
> pages, but has a devastating impact.  We actualy had the same type of bill
> introduced in our legislature about a year ago, which would put the
> transportation dollars into the general fund and elminiating the
> transportation fund altogether.  However, it was stopped in Wisconsin, but
> it is ironic to see this now being pushed quickly at the Federal level.  40B
> over the next 6 years...that is what our transportation systems run on
> annually nation-wide...this is how bad this is.  I have apprised one of our
> transportation lobbiest here in WI, and this is something to be very afraid
> of folks.
> 
> Steve
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Marsha Drenth
> Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 7:36 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] H.R. 3864 the American Energy and Infrastructure
> JobsFinancing Act
> 
> Steve,
> 
> I have never heard about this bill, its not being talked about on the news
> or any of the normal media outlets. I didn't go to Washington Seminar this
> year, so I have no clue if it was discussed. I am assuming this not only
> will effect your state but all states? This is not good if I am
> understanding it correctly. Oh joy, more reasons for me to dislike our
> current administration. 
> 
> Marsha 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Steven Johnson
> Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 7:26 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: [Blindtlk] H.R. 3864 the American Energy and Infrastructure
> JobsFinancing Act
> 
> All,
> 
> I am very surprised that we have not heard anything on this list or any
> other NFB list as this bill, which I read last Friday after it was marked up
> through the House Ways and Means Committee, is to go into effect on April 1,
> 2012.  This, will have nothing less than dire consequences for public
> transportation as we know it.  I have been apprised of this through our
> County's Planning Committee as I am a county employee, but am wondering why
> this legislation is not being discussed.  Here is what I know so far.
> 
> 
> 
> HR3864:  Effective date of this is targeted for April 1.  I am checking to
> see what will need to be done, but this is not good news; much worse than I
> ever imagined.  And this is a legitimate bill in the House right now through
> the Ways and Means committee which just marked it up this past Friday, Feb.
> 3.  
> 
> 
> 
> Here is a note I received from our planning committee:
> 
> La Crosse Area Transportation Planning Committee
> 
> The House Ways and Means Committee has passed a bill that will decimate
> transit. Transit 
> 
> will no longer receive funding from the fuel tax, but must now rely on the 
> 
> general fund for a one-time, lump-sum distribution to last until October of
> 2018 
> 
> ($40B over 6 years for ALL transit systems). We will see services cut if not
> 
> 
> eliminated. RESULT: The transit dependent will lose their jobs because they 
> 
> can't get to work; congestion will increase as more people are forced to
> drive; 
> 
> air quality will suffer with increased congestion; and, crashes and
> fatalities 
> 
> will go up with higher traffic volumes. This is really bad for Wisconsin
> because 
> 
> the state doesn't allow municipalities to generate revenue for transit 
> 
> purposes.
> 
> 
> 
> This is just the impact on our transportation here in WI, and I for one, am
> quite worried about this as it appears this will be moved through very
> quickly.  
> 
> 
> 
> So, with this subject in mind, does anyone know where the NFB stands on
> this, or even if they are aware of this?  2.  If anyone is at Washington
> Seminar, has this been talked about at all as this issue, will have a more
> direct negative impact on us as blind people than the other 3 items being
> discussed.
> 
> 
> 
> Regards,
> 
> 
> 
> Steve Johnson
> 
> 
> 
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