WA Council of the Blind Resolution on Transportation

RantWoman calls her readers' attention to a terrific resolution just approved at the WA Council of the Blind annual convention. The resolution will also be delivered electronically and on paper to legislators and will be posted on www.wcbinfo.org.


Please note:  RantWoman did not write the title. The resolution is about more than the Special Needs Transportation Fund. This resolution is about lots of families and working age people but it is also about LOTS of people's parents and grandparents who, in many cases, in RantWoman's not very humble opinion should NOT be driving but still need connections to community and to life! RantWoman is aware that news is flying thick and fast about various conceptions of what to fund and how to fund it. RantWoman thinks the resolution is important as is and encourages readers to use other resources for up to the second news bulletins.

#waleg #watranspo #keepusmoving #movekcnow



RESOLUTION 2013-1

REGARDING INCREASED FUNDING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS TRANSPORTATION

Whereas: The Washington Council of the Blind (WCB) is dedicated to promoting opportunity, equality and independence for people who are blind through education, public awareness and advocacy,

And,

Whereas: members of the WCB rely very heavily on all modes of public transportation, including bus, rail and light rail, ferry, paratransit and customized services funded by the Special Needs Transportation Fund,

and,

Whereas: public transportation services are of critical importance to WCB members who wish to access jobs, education and training, medical services, shopping, recreation, places of public assembly including churches, synagogues and other places of worship, public meetings and other offerings of federal, state and local government, interaction with family members and opportunities to volunteer,

and,

Whereas: members of the WASHINGTON Council of the Blind, as residents of WASHINGTON are concerned about the state’s entire transportation network including building and maintaining roads and bridges, funding public transportation, care for the environment, congestion, and the economic health of our state,

And,

Whereas: stable funding of public transportation is vital to the state’s transportation network,

And,

Whereas:, public transit agencies and systems in the State of Washington generally have experienced decreased revenue needed to fund comprehensive transit services,

and,

Whereas: local jurisdictions immediately need renewed authority to raise revenues specific to local needs in order to prevent drastic cuts to service delivery that would have very negative impact on members of the Washington Council of the Blind and their communities.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Washington Council of the Blind in convention assembled on this 9th day of November, 2013, at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park, in Spokane, Washington, that the membership of this organization calls on Governor Jay Inslee, members of the WASHINGTON state legislature, and other stakeholders to work together to:

--fund a balanced package of roads and public transportation,

--as soon as possible renew local jurisdictions’ authorization to seek additional revenue from local sources to fund public transportation,

--Substantially increase the appropriation for the Special needs Transportation fund to meet needs of many communities which would not otherwise have public transportation of any kind,

And,

Be it further resolved that the president of this organization be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Governor Inslee and members of the House and Senate Transportation Committees.