LWVCT Urges Restoration of Public Transit Funds 08Nov15
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November 15, 2008 Hon. M. Jodi Rell Governor Hartford, CT 06106
Members of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut, in coalition with the Citizen Transportation Lobby, are very disappointed in your proposal to eliminate the five million dollars allocated for public transportation. This reduction, to be discussed at the November 24 special session would undo the gains made for transportation in the previous legislative sessions. We oppose these cuts because we believe this is the wrong direction for Connecticut.
Our legislators saw significant value in expanding and improving the state public transit system that, according to the March 2007 Urbitran Associates analysis, returns three million dollars in economic development for every one million dollars invested. Although the state faces an increasing budget deficit, this is not the time to make drastic cuts in programs that have a proven return on the invested dollars. Rather, we must look at the contributions these programs make to keep our economy viable and our workers working despite the national trends. Bus ridership is up approximately 15%, a clear indication that this is the one investment that is increasingly critical for the state. Limiting mobility at a time of economic hardship is the wrong thing for our state and its workforce at the worst possible time.
The benefits of improved transportation policy extend far beyond getting workers to jobs. The subsequent reduction in road congestion, the parallel decrease in pollution, and the improved availability for moving freight through the state all have broad implications for keeping Connecticut competitive and modern. Connecticut showed leadership on reducing greenhouse gas emissions last session, thus ensuring cleaner air which will benefit our children and notch down the pollution-related health events for our seniors. Yet, this cut in the transit budget would result in more traffic and more pollution at the time we are working towards cleaner, safer air. It is poor public policy to eliminate a program with proven results and demonstrated benefits in several areas critical to the state and our residents. This program offers a multitude of benefits to the economy, business development, the environment, and quality of life of citizens.
We urge you to reconsider this spending cut and keep the transit funds in the budget on November 24. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jara N. Burnett 299 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878 203 637-9244 League of Women Voters of Connecticut Jill Kelly, Carol Leighton, Citizen Transportation Lobby
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