I need to raise an important point of federal budget minutia and ask that you email the Governor to protect riding and pedestrian infrastructure in NE Ohio.
The President wants to save some money so he has rescinded (or canceled) spending for transportation enhancement programs. Because federal transportation money was already distributed to the states years ago, he can't cancel it directly, so he tells the Governors to decide where to cut. Transportation Enhancement money is important to NE Ohio. In fact, of all states receiving transportation enhancement money, Ohio trails only California, Texas and Florida. But if Ohio receives a lot of money, we are also being asked to generate a lot of the rescission money – nearly $139 million.
Transportation Enhancements are often used to fund bike trails and pedestrian activities. Here are some projects that you may be familiar as you walk, ride or enjoy the city:
* Detroit-Superior Bridge Bike /Pedestrian path;
* Richmond Road Bikeway:
* Eastside towpath and bridges;
* Bike Racks on RTA Buses (City Racks/City Seats);
* Broadway Streetscape/Morgana Run Trail (Mill Creek to Washington Park);
* Euclid Corridor (E. 17th St Beautification); and
* Chagrin Falls and Shaker Square Enhancements.
You can identify Ohio transportation enhancement projects here:
http://www.enhancements.org/projectlist_search.asp [1]
So what to do? NE Ohio residents need to contact the Governor and share your views. Tell him to protect your priorities. By mid-April, the Governor needs to tell the federal government what he intends to do. Please help the Governor by telling him to protect enhancement spending in NE Ohio that address bike and pedestrian priorities. You can do that by logging onto the "rails to trails" website, here, and send the Governor a note:
Thanks.
Links:
[1] http://www.enhancements.org/projectlist_search.asp
[2] https://secure2.convio.net/rtt/site/Advocacy?JServSessionIdr005=056x129k01.app6a&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=108