U.S. Transit Funding Back on the Block
The House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee will reportedly begin work on fiscal year 1997's federal transportation funding provisions on June 6. Where this season has witnessed much pious concern in the halls of Congress for putting a few cents back in the public's pocket (via gas tax repeal), last year's 44% Congressional cut to federal transit operating assistance (signed by President Clinton) has sparked fare hikes and transit service cuts across the country. An estimated 30 million Americans use public transit and Amtrak regularly.Advocates are mobilizing transit supporters around the country to contact key figures in Congress with pro-transit messages.
Contact the Tri-State Transportation Campaign (212-777-8181), the Surface Transportation Policy Project (202-939-3470) or Citizen Action (202-775-1580) to get involved.
