[nfbwatlk] Fwd: Constituent: State Budget Funding Transportation

[goldbeckjm at comcast.net]

Hello WA NFB Members, 

I wanted to share with all of you the response I received from Sen. Pridemore regarding the state budget proposal and public transportation. 

Julie 



----- Original Message -----


From: "Sen. Craig Pridemore" <Craig.Pridemore at leg.wa.gov> 
To: goldbeckjm at comcast.net 
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 2:57:20 PM 
Subject: RE: Constituent: State Budget Funding Transportation 

Thanks for your message, Julie. 

I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond before now. We get an incredibly large number of emails at the beginning of the legislative session and do our best to keep up. 

The Governor's proposed budget, whether transportation, operating, or capital, is just that -- a proposal. It's a starting point, and negotiations between the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Governor's Office are ongoing. I agree with you on the importance of funding transit and other multi-modal projects. Considering the difficult budget climate we're in these days, we're able to fund far fewer projects than we wish. I'll keep your thoughts in mind as we proceed, but like with all budget requests these days, I can make no promises on exactly how things will turn out. 

Craig 


Sign up for my e-newsletter at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/subscriptions/member.aspx?chamber=s&member=pridemore 


-----Original Message----- 
From: goldbeckjm at comcast.net [mailto:goldbeckjm at comcast.net] 
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 7:51 PM 
To: Pridemore, Sen. Craig 
Subject: Constituent: State Budget Funding Transportation 

SENATE INTERNET E-MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE 

TO:  Senator Craig Pridemore 

FROM: Miss Julie Goldbeck(Constituent) 

STREET ADDRESS: 
1806 NE 112th St Apt 3 
Vancouver, WA 98686-4017 

E-MAIL:  goldbeckjm at comcast.net 

PHONE:  (360) 573 - 1194 

SUBJECT:  State Budget Funding Transportation 

MESSAGE: 

January 14, 2012 
Dear Sen. Pridemore: 
This past Tuesday, Gov. Gregoire proposed a $3.6 billion transportation package that dedicates 72% to roads and 4% to transit.  Amazingly, this is a step forward from the past but well short of being balanced.  The legislature is now set to consider this proposal. 

>From 2001 to 2009, the number of trips that Americans age 50+ took on public transportation went up 81%.(Source AARP Magazine) 

I am legally blind and depend on public transit to get to work, medical appointments, the gocery store, etc. so funding for public transit is very important to me.  As the baby boomer generation ages they will need a quality public transit system they can depend on to remain independent. 

The current transportation budget is unfairly balanced.  I ask that you send this proposal back to the governor and ask her to dedicate more than 4% to transit.  An investment in transit is an investment in our community and our disabled and elderly citizens. 

Sincerely, 
Julie Goldbeck 

NOTE:  We are 99% sure that this constituent is in your district 

RESPONSE REQUESTED:  Miss Goldbeck has requested a response to this message.