[nfbwatlk] FW: Worried about Transit Cuts? Urge Governor Gregoire to Sign the Transit Funding Bill

Thu May 14 20:39:03 UTC 2009

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From: Shefali Ranganathan [mailto:shefali at transportationchoices.org] 
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 6:01 AM
To: lawnmower84 at hotmail.com
Subject: Worried about Transit Cuts? Urge Governor Gregoire to Sign the
Transit Funding Bill

 Transportation Action!
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 Transportation Action
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ACTION ALERT: Act Now and Urge the Governor to Sign SB 5433 including
Funding for Transit

Do you ride transit?  Are you worried about possible service cuts? Here's
your chance to do something about it. Right now Governor Gregoire is
deciding whether to sign into law SB 5433, a local funding options bill that
will give transit agencies additional revenue options to help maintain
current service. In most cases, these revenue options will require approval
from voters

<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=wOI%2Fec5VXfy5WN2NQ76
ztPBmJXKUKpEB> 
Email Gov. Gregoire today and urge her to sign SB 5433 including new revenue
options for transit.

Transit agencies across the state are experiencing record increases in
ridership and drastic revenue shortfalls.  As citizens tighten their budgets
and chose to skip congested roadways, the demand for transit service
continues to grow.  At the same time sales tax revenues, the primary source
of operating dollars for transit agencies, are plummeting across the state.
As a result, transit agencies are facing service cuts instead of increases!
So how bad is the situation?  Consider this - King County Metro is facing a
projected $100 million budget gap, Kitsap Transit is already considering
service cuts this year and Pierce Transit is looking at dramatic service
cuts in 2012.

SB 5433 will:

*	Give local governments the authority to establish a congestion
reduction tax. This tax will then be placed on the ballot for voter
consideration to allow transit agenices to collect a fixed $20 vehicle
license fee to maintain service.  This will provide much needed relief to
cash-strapped agencies and help them serve increasing transit demand.

*	Allow King County Metro to use revenues from the already established
Ferry District tax to fill nearly $30 million of their projected $100
million budget gap.  This will help them stave off deep service cuts at a
time when ridership is at an all time high.

<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=PwfQEiPRCyj7AGWs1oww2
yieeoadjUof> Email Gov. Gregoire today and urge her to sign SB 5433
including new revenue options for transit.

Thanks for taking action!

Cheers!
Shefali Ranganathan
Director of Education and Outreach
Transportation Choices Coalition
811 1st Avenue, Suite 626
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206.329.2336
Fax: 206.329.2705
www.transportationchoices.org
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=8IcfidZ1Y%2F2rpz5wyHs
GTiieeoadjUof> 

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