Clarification on Senator Blunt's vote, and what's next
Senator Blunt voted no on Tuesday, March 6 against moving the Reid amendment package forward, delaying any further vote on bike/ped funding. After no movement on Wednesday, we were unsure if things would start moving again so we sent out an email to alert our members.
Late last night, the Senate came to an agreement that will allow them to start voting on certain individual amendments, among them the Cardin-Cochran amendment that supports bike/ped funding.
At this point, it looks like voting for the Cardin-Cochran amendment will take place on Tuesday. Visit the Transportation for America website for a comprehensive analysis and explanation of the single amendments that have been presented to the MAP-21 Senate transportation bill instead of the Reid package of amendments. We will provide regular updates through our social media conversations on Facebook and Twitter.
I apologize for the rollercoaster of emails regarding the federal transportation bill. We're doing our best to balance keeping you updated and activated versus boring you with policy talk. If the transportation bill passes, it will have an enormous impact on the way our roads are built, and how walkers and bicyclists fit into those roads. The current transportation bill expires March 31, 2012, which is why there is so much activity right now.
We're nearing the end, and cannot wait to get back to the business of creating programs, planning and policy that gets people out on their feet and bicycles. To that end, we're looking forward to grabbing a beer and bowl of chili with you this Saturday for the release of the 2012 ride calendar. Please contact me with any questions at rhonda@trailnet.org.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Smythe
Policy & Advocacy Coordinator for Trailnet
