Friday, July 22, 2011

Mass transit is a drop in America's transportation bucket

Objet : Re : A message from Congressman Levin
De : Lorraine Lee (u8ɔɥz@ʎɐɥoo.ɔɐ)
À : rep.sanderlevin@mail.house.gov;
Cc : u8ɔɥz@ʎɐɥoo.ɔɐ;
Cci :
Date : Ven, 22 Jul 2011 22:47:22


I completely agree with you about the importance of strengthening our nation’s transportation systems. I was supportive of the appropriations bill for 2011 drafted by Congressman John Olver in the last Congress, which would have funded federal transportation programs at $500 billion over six years, and provided $3.9 billion above the President’s request for the Federal Highway Administration. These increased funds also would have allowed states to complete infrastructure projects while spurring the economy and creating tens of thousands of jobs. Further, this bill would increase public transportation funding by $508 million in order to help address the nearly $80 billion maintenance backlog that face our nation.

$508 million is just over a tenth of a percent of $500 billion; a literal drop in the bucket. I guess mass transit is the ugly stepsister in our transportation portfolio.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Let's Save Michigan

The key to Michigan’s survival is redeveloping our cities so they will attract and retain today’s highly mobile, highly skilled workers. The people who can transform Michigan’s economy want to live in places where they can enjoy themselves—places with public transit, parks and recreation, good municipal services, and walkable downtowns filled with enticing restaurants, clubs, and stores. Why do so many talented professionals want to live in Chicago and New York and Minneapolis? It’s not for the weather. People are attracted to those places because of the lifestyles they allow and the opportunities they present.

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Saturday, July 2, 2011

Sprawl fat cats still powerful

Detroits Sprawl King: Transit Expansion Plan Would Be a Job KillerThere seems to be a growing understandingin the Motor City that bikeability, walkability and improved transit service are imperative to remake the economy and reverse the city’s infamous urban decay. So much so that private investors have put forward much of the funding for the city’s new light rail line.