As a supporter of smart growth concepts, we know you have been carefully following the activities in Washington on the federal stimulus package. While it has been discussed for weeks, we have learned that House Resolution 1, The Economic Recovery and Revitalization Act will be voted on TODAY.

The infrastructure component of HR 1, the American Economic Recovery and Investment Act is a critical piece in the effort to rebuild our economy and create jobs for struggling American workers. By investing in our crumbling roads and bridges, overburdened mass transit systems, and hundreds of other infrastructure projects, we can provide immediate good-paying jobs in hard-hit communities while helping to reduce congestion, cut our dependence on oil, and help pave the way for a greener future.

 

Contact your representative today to voice your opinion on this important issue.

Specifically the amendment would provide $1.5 billion in funding for transit capital improvement program and $1.5 billion for the New Starts Program, raising the total funding level for transit and rail in the recovery bill to $12 billion.

The $3 billion dollars in this amendment would restore the transit portion of the recovery bill to level proposed by Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN). The USDOT reports that $12 billion is needed annually to maintain and improve our transit systems. FTA reports that $4 billion in existing New Start funding agreements are outstanding.

 

Our nation's transit and intercity rail systems are struggling to meet maintenance, repair and capital needs. In a national poll released earlier this month by Transportation for America and the National Association of Realtors, fully 80% of respondents said stimulus funds should not only create jobs, but also help the goals of reducing oil dependency, improving the environment, and increasing transportation options. Now is the time to increase much needed funding for public transportation.

 

Transportation For America has identified more than $5 billion in new transit extension and rail projects that could be ready to go in 120 days, generating over 178,000 new jobs. These investments could put people to work in the manufacturing sector building new rail cars and bus vehicles, in the steel and concrete industries, in design and planning professions, and in their construction and operation. New transit lines have also been demonstrated to generate substantial economic development, which yield economic benefits far beyond the life of the recovery bill.

Please call or e-mail your U.S. Representative now and tell him or her to vote yes on the Nadler Amendment to increase public transit funding!

 

Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania, 4th - (202) 225-2565
Robert Brady, Pennsylvania, 1st - (202) 225-4731
Christopher Carney, Pennsylvania, 10th - (202) 225-3731
Kathy Dahlkemper, Pennsylvania, 3rd - (202) 225-5406
Charles Dent, Pennsylvania, 15th - (202) 225-6411
Mike Doyle, Pennsylvania, 14th - (202) 225-2135
Chaka Fattah, Pennsylvania, 2nd - (202) 225-4001
Jim Gerlach, Pennsylvania, 6th - (202) 225-4315

Tim Holden, Pennsylvania, 17th - (202) 225-5546
Paul Kanjorski, Pennsylvania, 11th - (202) 225-6511
Patrick Murphy, Pennsylvania, 8th - (202) 225-4276
Tim Murphy, Pennsylvania, 18th - (202) 225-2301
John Murtha, Pennsylvania, 12th - (202) 225-2065
Joseph Pitts, Pennsylvania, 16th - (202) 225-2411
Todd Platts, Pennsylvania, 19th - (202) 225-5836
Allyson Schwartz, Pennsylvania, 13th - (202) 225-6111
Joe Sestak, Pennsylvania, 7th - (202) 225-2011
Bill Shuster, Pennsylvania, 9th - (202) 225-2431
Glen Thompson, Pennsylvania, 5th - (202) 225-5121

 

If you are not sure of your Congressional Representative, please visit the House of Respresentatives website where you can search for your Representative by zip code.

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