Fill out Gov. Gregoire's transportation survey

[eridani]

Yesterday was amazing. With more than 90 leaders, we held a statewide conference on how to transform transportation policy. We talked about our challenges and solutions, and talked together about how to move forward.


Transportation is in crisis. Too many people stranded at bus stops, gas prices too high, and too much air and water pollution. Thankfully, the coalition of social justice, housing, transportation, environment, labor, and business continues to grow.

Yet we're still struggling to convince Governor Gregoire's Connecting Washington Task Force that our three principles of fix-it first, more transit, and build healthy communities are the foundation to transform transportation.

In fact, during our panel discussion with Connection Washington Task Force members, the three priorities that were outlined were mobility, safety, and preservation. It's far from clear these priorities will lead to more transit.

The Task Force is soliciting input. Help us make fix-it first, more transit, and healthy communities the Task Force's priorities. Please take a moment to fill-out their online survey >>

During his opening remarks, Art Guzetti, the Vice President of the American Public Transportation Association, said that Washington State had the best transit advocates in the country.

We are flattered. But why doesn't the Governor's Task Force think transit is a priority too?

We have three simple principles: (1) prioritize fixing our existing infrastructure, (2) save and expand transit choices, and (3) build great, healthy communities.

This isn't 20th Century rocket science. This is about building a transportation system that is affordable and works for the 21st Century. We need places where kids can safely walk to the playground. We need streets that are safe for all users. We need commuting choices that are affordable.

Our principles are that basic. The Governor's Connecting Washington Task Force is putting together the framework for the next major transportation package. Unfortunately, it looks like priorities of the Governor's Task Force won't come close to our principles.

We deserve better, Martha. Please take the time to fill-out their online form. Let's work together to fill-out hundreds of these surveys with pro-fix-it-first, pro-transit, pro-communities messages.

Fill-out the official online survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MJD7YS7

Thank you in advance for doing this. If you get stuck on saying the exact right thing, you can check out our new website for ideas. We even have five new white papers that can help you out.

The Task Force will next meet on November 29th. The decisions get made between meetings -- not during meetings -- so we have no time to lose.

Together we can transform transportation in Washington State.

Sincerely,

Brock Howell
Field Director
Transportation for Washington