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Missouri Transportation Funding Debate: Rep. Robert Ross advocates slashing funding for bike/ped | The Rolla Daily News

Submitted by Brent Hugh on Fri, 04/03/2015 - 8:38pm

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

Regardless of whether it was due to the sheer size of the tax increase, the type of (sales) tax, the way that MoDOT spends its current dollars, or the intention to spend the majority of the money exclusively on I-70; for a variety of reasons, the voters said "NO." Predictably and as a result, the Executive Branch tantrum has begun. The messaging campaign surrounding the "325 Plan" contains "TOUGH CHOICES" (all caps, for emphasis), bridge closures, and the threat that only 25% of Missouri's roads will be maintained moving forward; each of which are intended to stir concern and influence public opinion to the point of finding the next proposal (tax increase) acceptable. While "Multimodal" spending represents a significant amount of their annual budget (bicycle signs, bicycle lanes/trails, sidewalks, light rail, etc.), there has been no interest or movement to reduce spending in these areas or to shift that funding to the focus of their 325 campaign (roads and bridges). What about the millions of taxpayer dollars that have been spent on "Habitat Mitigation Credits" (similar to and a derivative of "cap and trade"; a focus of my HB955, to be discussed in an upcoming report) or the lobbying/liaison staff funded with your tax dollars (who incidentally also advocate for more of those dollars)? The point is, rather than develop a reasonable plan by redirecting funding away from the numerous initiatives that aren't a priority or benefit for most taxpayers, the false choice is provided - "more money, or else."

MoBikeFed note: MoDOT's funding for the bicycle and pedestrian items that Rep. Ross mentions is actually miniscule.

Missourians who walk and bicycle represent 9% of roadway fatalities and 15% of roadway injuries in Missouri, but get far, far less than those percentages in funding.

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Missouri Transportation Funding Debate: Rep. Robert Ross advocates slashing funding for bike/ped | The Rolla Daily News
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