State funding support for PT is a real possibility, (WITH YOUR HELP).
On Friday, January 26th, the House introduced RS 05530, which is now HB
610, a bill establishing a Public Transportation Fund. In short, the bill
proposes to raise $800,000 by increasing the cost of issuing a vehicle
title from $8 to $10 and dedicating the $2 to PT. Since federal funds were
reduced by $638,000 in 1996, and there are currently no mechanisms for
funding PT at the state level, this bill is a start toward the goal of
stable funding for public transportation in Idaho. The challenge is to get
HB 610 out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation. IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT THAT MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE BE CONTACTED -
URGING SUPPORT OF THE BILL.
The House Transportation Committee is reviewing the bill THIS WEEK. Let the
committee know the NEED for stable PT funding in Idaho. Please call, write
or e-mail the members of the committee that are from our transportation
district. They are:
Frank C. Bruneel, Lewiston
Charles Cuddy, Orofino
The information I have is that Bruneel is uncommitted and Cuddy is a maybe.
You can reach them by mail:
Idaho State Legislature
State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho
83720-0038
Also by:
Phone: 208-334-2000
E-mail: infocntr@lso.state.id.us
FAX: 208-334-5397
If you want more information about the bill, or wish to know who the other
members of the committee are, please contact me ASAP.
Forward this to other friends of PT throughout the state.
Pam Palmer
Public Transportation Advisory Council