May 19, 2009 Dear Friend, Thank you to all those who came out to the Spring for Transportation Choices event last Thursday! We had a great turn-out. Thanks, especially, to those who signed up for our upcoming projects. If you didn't have a chance to sign up, you can still do so by visiting our Volunteer Center at www.ri.sierraclub.org/volunteer. Thanks also to those cyclists out there who rode your bike to work on Bike to Work Day. The turn out at the Providence event just keeps getting better every year. Talk about an energy independent crowd!
Now, we've got work to do. The RIPTA Board found out yesterday that gasoline tax yields are down since the last quarter. On the one hand, that means people aren't driving as much (which is good for the environment). On the other hand, because our transit funding is backwards, it also means RIPTA is getting less money - a lot less. RIPTA is now down over $4 million. Why hasn't Governor Carcieri taken the lead to solve this crisis?
| 1) Action Needed: Tell Governor Carcieri to Move on Transportation |
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So far, Governor Carcieri's best proposals this year to address our underfunded public transit system and our corroding bridges is to rob Peter to pay Paul. We need more, before we face more RIPTA bus service cuts and more bridge closings.
Last year, Governor Carcieri established a very high-powered Blue Ribbon Panel on Funding Transportation (BRP). That Panel reviewed the need for transportation funding in Rhode Island and evaluated several potential new revenues for funding our transportation system in Rhode Island. The BRP released a report of its recommendations in December of 2008. The New Public Transit Alliance supported many of those recommendations.
 Send a message to Governor Carcieri today and tell him to move ahead with transportation funding!
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| 2) House Parties for Energy Independence: Newport and Providence |
Come to a Sierra Club House Party next week! Susan Davis will host in Providence on Tuesday, and Diana Coderre will host in Newport in June. Find out how to get aboard the campaign to rebuild a 21st Century Green transportation system in Rhode Island.
Photo: Lightbulbs to Leadership House
Party at Susan Davis' home, July 2008.
Photo by Karen Talbot. |
| 3) What are Cool CATs? |
Cool CATs are the Sierra Club's Cool Cities Community Action Teams. Cool Cities or Cool Communities are those local governments that sign on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Sierra Club Community Action Teams are teams of volunteer activists who work together to build environmental communities by hosting house parties, going door to door with our message, or participating in phone banks.
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Thank you for signing up for Cool CATs Weekly. Sierra Club volunteers are working in Newport, North Kingstown and Barrington to make one of those communities the next Cool City or Town. Feel free to contact us if you would like to make your city Cool.
Sincerely,
Chris Wilhite
Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter |
Tell Governor Carcieri to Move Ahead with Transportation Funding
Failing bridges, damaged roads, and inadequate transit service mean a lot more traffic and a lot more global warming pollution. But Governor Carcieri's own Blue Ribbon Panel has ideas to fix all this. But where's the Governor?
10 Minutes for Change
Every Wednesday
5:30 - 9:00 pm
Sierra Club Chapter Office
17 Gordon Ave.
Providence 02905
House Party in Providence
Tuesday, May 19
6:00 - 8:00 pm
RSVP
House Party in Newport
Thursday, June 11
Note date change
6:00 - 8:00 pm
RSVP |
