While researching legislation for the Center for American Progress, I stumbled upon Senator Tom Harkin's (D-IA) bill, S. 584, titled "A bill to ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets and highways."
Called the "Complete Streets Act of 2009" for short, the bill was introduced on March 12th, read twice and subsequently referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Extract what meaning you can from that jargon. The bill would require "complete streets policies" for urban planners and developers. What a wonderful idea!
The Majority Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works is Barbara Boxer (D-CA), a strong advocate for environmental legislation, but the Minority Ranking Member, Jim Inhofe (R-OK), is a nut case climate-change-denier.
You can go to the committee website (http://epw.senate.gov/public/?CFID=8321671&CFTOKEN=85474737) to get contact info for its members. Please lobby for the Complete Streets Act of 2009!
Find the details of the bill at Thomas.gov, just search for bill number S. 584
This type of legislation would have been laughed out of congress just a few years ago. We are entering a new era.
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1 comment:
the Minority Ranking Member, Jim Inhofe (R-OK), is a nut case climate-change-denier
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As a "nut case" myself, I take exception to this. The polar ice caps are thicker than they've been in decades and temperatures are colder over the past two years. Perhaps it's cyclical??
By using such inflammatory language you've alienated those of us who support the cause of "complete streets" because of your belief in a warming planet - a belief which takes more faith than the scientific evidence to the contrary.
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