This morning I called the offices of both Tammy. Baldwin and Ron Johnson about the horrible amendment<http://community.railstotrails.org/blogs/trailblog/archive/2013/07/25/breaking-alert-rand-paul-amendment-threatens-to-strip-funding-for-biking-and-walking-infrastructure.aspx>to the transportation appropriations bill - sponsored by Rand Raul - that would transfer all funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program to bridge repair.
Needless to say, this tiny amount of money is not going to make any impact on the condition of bridges around the country, which are admittedly in horrendous shape. But the same tiny sliver of money from the transportation fund is what funds most of the trails, both urban and rural, motorized and non-motorized throughout the state. As expected, Tammy's office was very sympathetic, and told me even before I finished speaking that they have been getting a lot of calls, and she won't support the amendment. Sen. Baldwin understand how this money is used and the importance to Wisconsin's economy and citizens. The call to Johnson's office was less clear. They listened to me and then asked for the number of the amendment. They thanked me for my call, but didn't ask where I lived or any contact information. This makes me think they could use a few more calls. Instead of just using the standard language<http://support.railstotrails.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=7320>put out by the national advocacy organizations, I made it very Wisconsin specific. Although I can't give you an exact quote, I mentioned how important this funding is for both transportation and recreation in Wisconsin, that tourism is a huge part of the Wisconsin economy, and that the Recreational Trails Program benefits not just walkers and bicyclists, but also snowmobiling, ATVs, equestrians, and other user groups that use trails. I sort of figured that Johnson might be more sympathetic to the needs of tourism operators and small communities that depend of the business than to urban bicyclists that need a way to cross a busy road. (Most of the bike-ped bridges in Madison and elsewhere in the state have been funded by TAP - formerly Transportation Enhancements.) Call Ron Johnson at 202-224-5653 and Tammy Baldwin at 202-224-5623. Robbie Webber
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