Please see the below message from the Complete Streets Coalition. If your representative is targeted (see the list below), please contact them ASAP and urge that they sign-on to the letter and demonstrate their support.
MD
Elijah Cummings: (202) 225-4741
Donna Edwards: (202) 225-8699
SUBJECT:
TAKE ACTION TODAY! Ask your Representative to support complete streets in the
transportation bill
Rep.
Tauscher (CA-10) is circulating a letter (see attached) for members of the
House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee to sign in support
of Complete Streets. As you may know, the Committee is currently drafting the
new 6-year surface transportation authorization bill, which will fund as much
as $500 billion in new transportation projects. Rep. Tauscher’s letter requests
that those projects incorporate complete streets principles. It is critical
that such a massive investment in transportation infrastructure does not ignore
the safety of pedestrians, including children, senior citizens, and disabled
persons, as well as patrons of public transportation and bicyclists.
We
need as many members of the T&I Committee as possible to sign Rep.
Tauscher’s letter! If your Member of Congress is on the committee (see list
below), please call their office TODAY and ask them to sign Rep. Tauscher’s
complete streets letter.
Talking Points:
Ask
to speak to the staff person that works on transportation issues.
- Please
sign Rep. Tauscher’s letter in support of complete streets. Paul Schmid in
Tauscher’s office is the contact. The deadline to sign is close of
business, Thursday, May 7th. - Complete
streets policies ensure that the needs of all users of the transportation
system–motorists, transit vehicles and riders, bicyclists, and
pedestrians of all ages and abilities– are taken into account when
streets are built or re-built. Over 90 states and communities already have
complete streets policies, which are flexible and cost-effective. - Complete
streets improve safety, especially for children and older Americans. And
if we are serious about ending our dependence on foreign oil, combating
climate change, stemming obesity, and revitalizing communities, we need to
build roads designed for all users, not just cars. - Maryland ranks the 8th worst state in pedestrian fatalities per capita, 6th worst in pedestrian fatalities per all traffic fatalities.
- Complete
Streets don’t cost more to build; in fact, they generate revenue by
increasing property values and promoting economic development. They save
money by reducing transportation and healthcare costs. - If you are a
constituent, please ask for a response by email or mail, which helps
ensure that your comment is passed up the chain of command.
For
additional background materials about complete streets download our complete
streets bill fact sheet (https://www.completestreets.org/documents/fed/cs-leavebehind-2009.pdf )
and frequently asked questions (https://www.completestreets.org/documents/fed/CS_fed_bill-Q&A-2-09.doc ).
Please
contact us if you have any questions and let us know if you’ve contacted your
Representative and their response to signing on to the letter by emailing Ivan
Kaplan at ikaplan@completestreets.org.
Thanks for helping complete America’s streets!