Federal transportation rescission

Submitted by Rachel on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 12:16

In the latest budget deal between the Republicans and Democrats, the two parties agreed to rescind (read: take back) $2.5 billion in unspent federal transportation funds. Your state DOT has the power to decide which funds they send back. And based upon history we know what happens next.

MoDOT may try to empty out the funds that pay for your sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and education programs.

We have seen this before, and it is happening again. Last year, when states had to send back $2.2 billion in transportation funds, almost half of that money came from programs that fund bicycling and walking projects.

Please contact Governor Nixon and MoDOT director Kevin Keith today to tell them this is wrong. Funding cuts for the rescission should be fair and proportional across the board.