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February 27, 2008
Victory on Funding Minnesota's
Transportation Needs!
Congratulations everyone! ISAIAH marks a huge victory with
the successful passage of the Transportation Funding bill
into law on Monday February 25, 2008!
Over the
last four years, ISAIAH leaders have been champions of a
vision for a transportation system that works for everyone,
including those unable to drive. Every person has the
regular need to travel, whether it is to their home,
workplace, school, church or another location. ISAIAH
envisioned that Minnesotans should be able to rely on
transit as a thriving part of the state's transportation
system.
This law
was made possible through Minnesotans gathering around a
common vision for a transportation system that: gets
everyone where they need to go; is a responsible stewardship
of our resources for the public good; considers the legacy
we leave for the Minnesotans who will live here 30-50 years
from now. The bill was supported by community groups, roads
and transit advocates, MN Trucking Association, MN Chamber
of Commerce, local and county governments, environmental
groups and a supermajority of the state representatives and
senators (138 of 201 legislators).
It won't be
the news story, but it is critical to note that the content
of this law was shaped by the participation of these groups
and many others. This includes ISAIAH and the Transit
Partners Coalition of which we were founding members.
Legislators told us on numerous occasions that because of
this input, the law represents what Minnesotans need from
their transportation system.
Today, thank you for participating in this important work!
If you:
Wrote a
letter to the editor on transportation
Attended an ISAIAH public meeting
Contacted your legislator through email, a call or visit to
the Capitol
Or
Talked with
your friends or neighbors about a vision for Minnesota that
is based on our broadly shared faith values of community,
hope and shared abundance...
THEN YOU HELPED MAKE THIS LAW POSSIBLE!!
This new
law will start turning this vision into reality - it
provides $6.6 billion dollars over ten years to fund roads,
bridges and transit across our grand state.
Stable,
dedicated funding for transit will advance three important
priorities:
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Expansion of the Metro Transit bus system-more frequent
service, new routes and new Park ‘n Ride facilities
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Build new transitway corridors that will create a
transit network that links all corners of the metro
region and St Cloud
-
Provide a dedicated funding source to Greater MN transit
Unfortunately, Governor Pawlenty did not support the vision
behind this widely-supported bill and an override was
required to turn the bill into law.
Legislators
showed courage in voting to support what they believe was
right for their constituents. We encourage you to contact
your legislator to say "Thank you" for supporting the
override. Click here to see how your legislator voted:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/votes Click here to
find your legislator:
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html
While this
is a critical infusion into Minnesota's infrastructure, it
is also the product of compromise. ISAIAH and transit
advocates believe some areas of transportation policy and
funding still need additional attention in order to provide
adequate and equitable support to our growing transit
system. We will bring these to your attention as necessary
at ISAIAH gatherings over the next year.
Sarah Mullins,
smullins35@hotmail.com
David Greene,
greened@obbligato.org
Co-chairs, ISAIAH Transportation Funding Campaign
For
more information about ISAIAH, please visit our website at
www.gamaliel.org/isaiah
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