Action Alert: Call Senator Boxer today

Jun 20

Senator Boxer is meeting with House leaders TODAY to decide the fate of biking and walking programs in Congress. Federally supported walking and biking programs like Safe Routes to School will be on the line in today's meeting between Senator Boxer and Representative Mica. This is a critical time, and we need your involvement today.

With our national partners, SVBC is asking you to call Senator Boxer's office today and ask her to save local control over biking and walking.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen some members of Congress try to block funding for biking and walking again and again. People all over the country have sent emails, made phone calls and organized events to ensure that Congress protects the funds that make our streets safer and more accessible to everyone. So far we have been successful at protecting this funding.

Today, we're at a crucial moment, and here's how you can help. It’s easy to call Senator Boxer’s office. Just choose an office from the list below and use the following suggested talking points.

Oakland: (510) 286-8537
Los Angeles: (213) 894-5000
Sacramento: (916) 448-2787
San Diego: (619) 239-3884
Fresno: (559) 497-5109
Riverside: (951) 684-4849

Suggested script:

Hi, my name is [name] and I live in [city/town].

I’m calling to ask that Senator Boxer maintain the Cardin-Cochran agreement and ensure that Transportation Alternatives not allow states to opt-out of local control over local transportation projects, including biking and walking improvements.

The bipartisan Cardin-Cochran agreement in the Senate transportation bill would ensure that local governments can access 1 – 2% of federal transportation dollars for local projects.

Local officials, who govern closest to the communities they serve, need an opportunity to guide funding for local projects such as biking and walking improvements.

It is essential that biking and walking programs not include a state opt-out provision. When the state controls all funding, small, local projects fall between the cracks and local officials lose the opportunity to use transportation funds to address local transportation needs.

Please also make sure that Congress does not strip eligibility for the Safe Routes to School program, since the safety of our children is so critical.

Will Senator Boxer preserve the bipartisan Cardin-Cochran agreement and ensure that Transportation Alternatives not allow states to opt-out of local control?