Livable Communities Act
Aug 2nd, 2010 | By Mark Dieterich | Category: UncategorizedFrom the League of American Cyclists, particularly pertinent for those of us in RI, because Senator Reed sits on the Senate Banking Committee which is hearing the bill:
Congress is considering a measure that could unleash funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and make important strides towards building “active transportation networks.”
Tomorrow is a critical vote.
Your Senator can play a key role in passing this important legislation.
On Tuesday, August 3, the Senate Banking Committee will be voting on the Livable Communities Act (S. 1619)— and your Senator is on this Committee.
This important bill would help communities:
- Develop comprehensive regional plans to incorporate transportation, housing, community and economic development, and environmental needs.
- Enact their plans by funding Transit Oriented Development (TOD), public transportation, and pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfares that foster economic development and build livable communities.
To clarify and enhance the language for biking and walking, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) offered an amendment that defines “active transportation” projects and ensures they are prominently listed — on par with transit — as eligible activities. , Make sure your Senator knows that you, and the members of Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition, consider passage of this vital bill a high priority.
At a time when our nation is searching for ways to address some of our major transportation, climate and health challenges, this measure would create more affordable places to live, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and revitalize existing urban centers.
Please contact your Senator TODAY and ask him/her to vote for the Merkely amendment AND for S. 1619.
Alert the members of Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition to do the same!
To find your Senator, visit the League of American Bicyclists Advocacy Center.
If you believe in liveable communites and have feelings one way or another about this bill, please take a few moments today and at least fill out the online comment form.
UPDATE
The Sierra Club reports
Just wanted to fill you in on our victory in the Banking Committee yesterday! The Banking Committee approved the Livable Communities act by a voice vote along party lines (12-10). Thanks to all of you who made calls to Senate offices.
After the Senate returns from August recess, Senator Dodd hopes to advance his bill to the floor of the Senate (possibly attached to another bill) and pass it before he retires. So we’ll have more work to do convincing other Senators to support this good legislation and get it passed.
We will let everyone know when it’s time to start making calls and sending emails again. Thanks to everyone who took the time to do so for this vote.
Providence office of Sen. Jack Reed,
America is besieged by its annual spending of over $185 billion to treat the impact of obesity. In April, retired general Shalikashvili wrote in the Washington Post:
“Our country is facing another serious health crisis. Obesity rates threaten the overall health of America and the future strength of our military. We must act, as we did after World War II, to ensure that our children can one day defend our country, if need be.”
Regulating nutrition alone will not achieve this. A body must be incented to desire the best fuels available through regular physical activity.
The Liveable Communities Act (S1619) will help communities to develop bicycle thouroughfares that will help our kids (and, hopefully their parents) develop more active lifestyles. An active lifestyle reduces the prevalence of and costs associated with obesity. Regular physical activity, like riding a bicycle, also increases feelings of wellbeing, work and school productivity and decreases cost of employment (through increased productivity and reduced health care expenditures). Reduced dependence on oil and cleaner air are bounuses of cycling integrated into daily activities and this bill would make it easier for our kids and their parents to do that.
We, at U.S. Open Cycling, urge Senator Reed to vote FOR S1619 and the Merkely amendment.
Please pass this message forward to the Senator.
Cheers!
Richard
Richard Durishin
Executive Director
U.S. Open Cycling
Committed to a healthier, cleaner America…through cycling.