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Thursday, February 09, 2012

Transportation bill would cut funding for programs that improve safety for rural Americans

A transportation bill in the House would cut federal funding to repair roads and bridges, and safety programs for pedestrians, school children and bike-riders, reports Stephen Davis of Greater Greater Washington. The changes would hit rural communities especially hard. Environmental, business and labor groups are all opposed to it and are encouraging people to call representatives telling them to vote "no" on it. Politico reports that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has called it "the worst transportation bill" he's seen in 35 years.

The bill would end a 30-year precedent of dedicating 20 percent of federal fuel taxes to fund mass transit, open almost all U.S. coastal waters to oil and gas drilling and eliminate funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety and the "Safe Routes to School" program. Several newspaper editorial boards have expressed disdain for the bill. The Sacramento Bee says that if the bill is passed, "the nation's transportation network will take a giant step backward to a 'roads only' policy," and Congress should find ways to reduce emissions and traffic congestion, which would increase under the bill. The New York Times calls the bill "so uniquely bad" that it defies belief.

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