| |
August 27,
2007
|
| |
|
| |
UPCOMING MBTA
EVENTS |
| |
MBTA Fall Convention
September
14-16
Samoset
Resort, Rockport
Transportation Achievement
Awards
Banquet
Friday, November 2
Augusta
Civic Center, 5 p.m.
Maine Transportation
Conference
Thursday, December 6
Augusta
Civic Center, 8 a.m.
Bangor Area
Meeting
Thursday, December 13
Black
Bear Inn
Orono, 5
p.m.
For more information,
contact the MBTA at (207) 622-0526
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALERT:
Appropriations-Transportation to hold joint meeting re: LD
1790
|
|
Thursday, August 30 @
10 a.m.
Maine State House Room 228,
Augusta
|
|
Please plan on attending and
help MBTA make the case
for investment in a safe,
efficient transportation system!
|
|
Even as many of
us will be enjoying the last days of summer, members of the Maine
Legislature will be busy next week. Of particular importance is a
joint meeting of the Transportation and Appropriations committees
this Thursday, August 30 at 10 a.m. The topic will be funding of
LD 1790: An Act to Secure Maine’s Transportation
Future.
As many of you know, the bill was
passed with a strong majority this June in the final hours of the
legislative session. This was a major victory for the MBTA and our
Coalition of 50 who have worked so hard to educate lawmakers about
the importance of transportation investment. Support was strong in
both the house and the senate, but we were disappointed when the
Appropriations Committee opted not to fund it. Instead, they said
they would meet with the Transportation Committee to take up the
funding issue, and their first meeting is Thursday at 10 a.m.
Also on
Thursday, the Transportation Committee will be discussing the
status of Maine’s bridges at 1 p.m. in the
Transportation Committee Room (126) in the State
House.
The MBTA board feels this is an important
time to make our case. While this is not a public hearing and
there may not be opportunity for public input, it is important
that members of both committees see transportation advocates
there. The recent bridge tragedy in Minnesota is a powerful
reminder that Maine cannot afford to be complacent about safety.
LD 1790 also would fund non-highway modes, such as operating costs
for the Downeaster, the popular passenger rail service from
Portland to Boston.
We need
your help
Having Coalition and MBTA members
present at the start of this process will help set the tone for
the discussions that are to follow. It is important for
legislators to know how important this issue is to the citizens of
Maine.
If you are not
able to attend, please take a moment to call or e-mail members of
the Appropriations Committee you know (their contact information
is below). Here are some talking points you can use. Please feel
free to speak from your own experience, as well.
• Maine invests less in transportation now
than three decades ago.
We have failed to make
maintaining our transportation infrastructure a priority. In the
1970s, 26% of state spending went to transportation. Today we
spend less than 11%.
• Mainers want more
investment in highways and bridges.
In a
recent survey, 92% said the state spends too little on these
valuable public assets.
• Maine needs good
roads and bridges to preserve its economic
viability.
90% of Maine’s freight is shipped by road;
95% of all passenger movements take place over
roads.
• Maine is ranked 13th in the nation
for deficient bridges.
Currently 70 bridges are posted
with weight restrictions and another 218 are in need of
replacement, rehabilitation or repair.
•
Maine roads are ranked worst in New England.
The
Maine Economic Growth Council cited the ranking in its 2007
Measures of Growth report. They created a new indicator,
giving it a red flag to demonstrate their concern about Maine's
crumbling transportation infrastructure.
•
Inadequate transportation is costing Maine
business.
When businesses are considering expanding or
relocating, access to adequate transportation runs second only to
availability of skilled labor as a decision-making
factor.
• Maine citizens consistently vote
with their pocket books in support of rail, aviation, marine,
trails and highway projects.
As recently as past June,
voters passed the transportation bond with nearly a 3-to-1 margin.
Transportation is a priority for voters! |
|
|
|
Thanks for your support
at the opening of these important discussions with the
Appropriations Committee. It is so
important that they know that Maine citizens care about investment
in transportation – and how it is essential for our communities
and our future.
If you are unable to be there on Thursday,
there will be other opportunities to contact your legislators.
Thank you!
OTHER MBTA
NEWS: Convention coming up. . . Raffle tickets still
available!
One of the highlights of the year, the MBTA Fall
Convention will be at the beautiful Samoset Resort in Rockport
from September 14 through 16.
There are still tickets available for the raffle
that benefits the MBTA Educational Foundation. This year, we have
some wonderful prizes valued at nearly $1,000. Don't miss out.
Tickets are just $5 each or six for $25. Call the MBTA office to
get yours, 622-0526.
And we hope you enjoy the rest of your
summer! | |
|
