After learning of unexpected changes to House Bill 2001, the BTA and Environment Oregon decided to cancel the ride to Salem yesterday. We are working with our partner organizations to make our voices heard at the legislature, but we need your help. Please ask your legislators TODAY to restore balance & sustainability to the transportation package. To find your legislator, click here or call 1-800-332-2313
Over the course of the last year, the BTA worked with stakeholders from multiple sectors on the Governor’s Transportation Vision Committee to create a series of recommendations for the Governor to use in creating a complete transportation package for consideration by the 2009 legislature. The Jobs & Transportation Act that resulted was submitted at the start of the legislative session. It was a balanced proposal to:
o Provide critical jobs and boost Oregon’s economy;
o Invest in non-motorized transportation and create more opportunities to walk, bike, and take transit;
o Link smart land use and lower transportation costs by improving transportation choices for Oregonians;
o Help Oregon’s large communities reduce global warming pollution from cars and trucks.
Unfortunately, the transportation package, House Bill 2001, that recently emerged from behind closed doors has lost its balance – it has become a highways bill, dominated by an $840 million list of road building projects. Meanwhile, it does not allocate any additional funds to non-motorized transportation, ignoring the fact that investing in bicycle and pedestrian corridors, trails and greenways would benefit local economies and reduce health care costs across Oregon.
Instead, HB 2001 earmarks funds for massive highway projects that will increase sprawl, traffic, and transportation-generated greenhouse gasses. This is not the balanced and sustainable transportation future that Oregonians want. If our state is to fight global warming, we must provide direction and tools to our communities so they can provide better options to walk, bike, or take transit to jobs and restaurants, markets, schools and parks.
Oregonians deserve better. Your involvement is needed to restore balance & sustainability to the transportation package.
Make Your Voice Heard on House Bill 2001
o Ask your legislators TODAY to restore balance & sustainability to the transportation package. To find your legislator, click here or call 1-800-332-2313
o The newly created Special Joint Committee on Transportation will consider HB 2001 tomorrow evening. This will be your only chance to give testimony before the legislature acts on the bill. Please testify at this hearing on Thursday at 5 PM, in Hearing Room F at the State Capitol. For advice on testifying click here.
how is the $840 million of road construction going to be funded? $192 million for a Dundee bypass to Newberg? How long will Oregonians be paying on all these bonds?
Initially, Oregonians will pay for these bonds through vehicle registration fee increases and a fuel tax increase. The registration fee is permanent, so that revenue will presumably be collected for future transportation projects even after these bonds have been paid off.