Advocacy & Safety - CALL CONGRESS TODAY-Restore "Transportation Enhancements"

On Thursday, September 4th, the US House of Representatives will vote on the 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill. Currently, that bill contains language which eliminates funding for the popular Transportation Enhancements program. The program is THE single largest federal source of funding for trails, walking and bicycling. Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) and Congressman John Olver (D-MA) will offer an amendment during debate on Thursday to restore the funding.

All this takes from you is one simple phone call!

Here's what you need to do:

1. Find out who your representative is by visiting http://www.house.gov and entering your zip code. 2. Call 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your representative. 3. Ask your representative to "Vote to strike Section 114 from H.R. 2989 and oppose any other amendments that might be offered that reduce, flex or undercut the Transportation Enhancements program."

If you'd like more background information, visit the America Bikes website:

http://www.americabikes.org/saveenhancements.asp

2. Tell the representative that he/she may as well show an example to the rest of the world, as the memebers of the European Parliament did (see the post "Cycling for a fit future Europe. A group of MEPs cycled into Strasbourg from Brussels" link to the post: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36458 ).

That the representatives shall try to ameliorate the nasty image created by this member on their assembly, Rep. Janklow, who killed the man while speeding in car above the legal limit:

The phones to Congress need be busy today. They are busy screwing the people..
Today, is also the day that the COngress votes on the new overtime regulation bill.. If pass' the employer can take away your overtime and give you comp. time and you will have nothing to say about it. This is defeating the 40 hour work week that we fought and died for 100 years ago.
HAPPY LABOR DAY.

Originally posted by cyclezealot
Today, is also the day that the Congress votes on the new overtime regulation bill.. If pass' the employer can take away your overtime and give you comp. time and you will have nothing to say about it. This is defeating the 40 hour work week that we fought and died for 100 years ago.
HAPPY LABOR DAY.

If you are going to call about the OT, check and make sure your job is effected as cyclezealot has made a very general statement about the bill and how it would effect people. Some individuals will benefit from this bill and some will not depending on the categories of employment (Salaried Exempt, Salaried non-exempt, Hourly, etc). Either way, a 40 hour work week will remain the same for those who "died 100 years ago".

What I think this Bill will do is decrease the companies incentive to pay overtime in lieu of paying another person full salary and benefits, thus requiring them to hire more employees. A very liberal idea if you ask me.

Perhaps you should have added your 2 cents in the Political discussion section.

On the bike bill, I thought I read last week that Lance was going to give a pitch to Congress. Has anyone heard of any news on that? (Maybe I'll do a search and post it if I find it, but all I seem to find is news about his divorce...which makes me mad :mad: ).

ehenz

Good work, it (highway bill) passed with some 90% of the vote (I'm not surprised). So it looks like the 10% will be put to better use.

Regards,
ehenz

FYI: Presidential hopeful Kucinich (D) of Ohio was one of two who did not vote.