Please write these four e-mails (or faxed letters or phone calls) ASAP!

Thanks!!

Here's the detailed text for additional information:

If you don't know who your legislators are visit http://www.senate.ca.gov or http://www.assembly.ca.gov.

BACKGROUND:

Governor Gray Davis recently unveiled his $5.3 billion plan to reduce traffic congestion throughout the state. The Governor's plan has a general emphasis on new public transportation projects (comprising almost two-thirds of the spending). However, there's absolutely no funding in the plan for vital transit operating funds that can help increase service and provide essential programs like welfare to work transportation, and there is no funding for any bicycle, pedestrian, trail or other livable community-type projects.

This is your chance to improve on the Governor's package!! The Governor's transportation plan is currently before a two-house conference committee on the state budget that began deliberations this week; the state constitution requires the Legislature to adopt a new state budget by June 15. Both Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) and Senator Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach) sit on that conference committee and are in key positions to influence the make-up of the transportation plan.

A letter or phone call to either of these legislators would be especially effective, even if they don't represent your legislative district. Speaker Hertzberg's district phone number is 818-376-4040 and fax is 818-902-0764; his Sacramento phone number is 916-319-2040 and fax is 916-319-2140. Senator Karnette's district phone number is 562-997-0794 and fax is 562-997-0799; her Sacramento phone number is 916-445-6447 and fax number is 916-327-9113.

DETAILS OF THE MESSAGE:

(1) We need "transit operating funds" ($400 million annually) to run the trains and buses we plan on buying and to increase existing service, vital operating funds for aging systems that aren't currently in the governor's plan. This is funding that should be added to the 'State Transit Assistance' program.

(2) We need money ($250 million) for safer streets and more livable communities that aren't part of the governor's plan, like critical bicycle, pedestrian, trail and transit-oriented development projects.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact any staff member at the Surface Transportation Policy Project, at 213-629-2043, or 415-956-7795, or 916-447-8880.

The Honorable XXX State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95XXX

Re: GOVERNOR'S TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Dear XXX:

The Governor's $5.3 billion transportation plan unveiled in early April 2000 is a first step towards addressing California's long term transportation needs. Yet there are several things that are missing in the plan in terms of providing better mobility, safer communities and access to jobs and services for all Californians.

Below are several very significant additional needs identified by a broad cross section of community and transportation interest groups from across the state.

ADDITIONAL NEEDS:

Funding to increase public transit service and promote welfare to work programs -- the Governor's transportation plan included several billion for new transit capital projects but no funds were included for basic public transit operating needs -- critical money that can allow for increased service on existing transit systems and ensures that local agencies can actually operate the new buses and trains that the governor's plan proposes to purchase. REQUEST: an additional $400 million annually from general fund revenue or other sources added into the Public Transportation Account (PTA) specifically earmarked through the State Transit Assistance Program for operating assistance for local transit providers.

We appreciate your continued leadership on transportation issues in the state legislature and look forward to working with you in the coming months to help craft a transportation package that will truly benefit all Californians.

Sincerely,

________________

Thank you for your help!

Richard L. Silver
Richard L. Silver, Executive Director
Rail Passenger Association of California
Train Riders Association of California
Member, NARP Board of Directors