McCain and Coburn want bikes out of the Transportation bill
Some crappy news about the Transportation bill and those looking to prevent federal funds being spent on bike and pedestrian infrastructure:
Speak up for Trails, Walking and Biking Now
On Tuesday, September 15, Senators John McCain (Ariz.) and Tom Coburn (Okla.) issued two amendments to the FY10 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. If passed, these amendments would eliminate the majority of available federal funds for trails, walking and bicycling.
Amendment 2370 would prohibit the use of federal funds for pedestrian or bicycle facilities, efforts to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife, or other specified Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects if the Highway Trust Fund cannot cover unfunded highway authorizations.
Amendment 2371 is even trickier; while it claims to allow states to opt out of spending on TE projects, the actual amendment text in fact notes that “None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to implement” TE projects.
For more information check the Rails-To-Trails website.
-M
S. Amendment 2370 was withdrawn, and S. Amendment 2371 lost 39-59! Senator Reid voted against the amendment, Senator Ensign voted for it.
There were 5 democrats and 1 independent that voted with Ensign. There were 7 republicans and 1 independent that voted with Reid.
Bicycle and Pedestrian funding stays for now!