[nfbwatlk] State Legislature Leaves Transit Riders Stranded

[goldbeckjm at comcast.net]

It was from the Transportation for Washington Facebook page.  Here is their website http://t4washington.org 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Humberto Avila" <avila.bert.humberto2 at gmail.com> 
To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 11:00:36 PM 
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] State Legislature Leaves Transit Riders Stranded 

Hello there, 

Did you write this article yourself? If not, then would you please tell us 
where you got this from? Gotta cite sources...   

-----Original Message----- 
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
Behalf Of goldbeckjm at comcast.net 
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:38 PM 
To: County, Clark; nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org 
Subject: [nfbwatlk] State Legislature Leaves Transit Riders Stranded 




OLYMPIA, WA - The special session came to a close yesterday without any 
action taken to address the local transportation funding crisis in 
Washington State. In a time of rising gas prices and increased demand for 
transit, bus service has been slashed by over 40% in the past two years in 
Pierce and Snohomish Counties. In less than two years King County Metro 
faces a similar financial free fall when their temporary congestion relief 
fee expires. 

"Time and time again the legislature has heard the need for additional 
voter-approved revenues for local transit," said Rob Johnson, Executive 
Director of Transportation Choices. "Despite this clear need, they failed to 
step up for bus riders across the state. Our transit agencies are forced to 
strand tens of thousands of riders every single day. We have to do better." 

During the legislative session Transportation for Washington led a strong 
coalition for long-term, sustainable transportation funding. The campaign 
organized the largest Transportation Advocacy Day ever; the support of 
nearly 200 local elected officials, businesses, labor groups, and other 
organizations; and more than 1,500 individual letters sent to legislators 
supporting transit funding. 

The legislature raised transportation related fees through HB 2660, which 
temporarily directs additional state investment to transit, bicycle and 
pedestrian safety, ferries, road maintenance, and other transportation 
related programs, but failed to pass a long-term solution. 

"To end the special session without long-term solutions for transit is a 
blow to communities across the state," said Hilary Franz, Executive Director 
of Futurewise. "Slashing transit service will hinder our region's push 
towards economic recovery. Without great transit, we cannot build great 
communities." 
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