ACTION ALERT: Ask Legislators to Defeat House Bill 277
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A bill to fund massive road projects is gaining traction in the Georgia House of Representatives. A vote on the House floor is likely on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Please call and e-mail your legislators now and ask them to vote NO on House Bill 277.
The bill authorizes a referendum on a statewide sales tax that could be used to fund a long list of transportation projects. The cost of the listed projects far exceeds the amount that will be raised by the tax. As a result, there's no guarantee that transit, bicycle, or pedestrian projects on the list will actually get funded. The oversight committee created by this bill is likely to favor big road projects. Residents of metro Atlanta might be stuck paying a sales tax that funds an enormous toll tunnel under NE Atlanta neighborhoods, a northern arc toll road, road widenings in the Atlanta exurbs, and unneeded four-lane highways elsewhere in the state.
Metro Atlanta is experiencing a transportation funding crisis and needs new sources of funding. Senate Bill 39, which authorizes a regional transportation sales tax, is a much better solution.
Click on the link below to get your representative's contact information:Contact Your Representative
Then call and e-mail to ask your state representative and to
vote NO on HB 277.A vote on the floor of the House is likely on February 25 or 26. Act now!
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Decriminalize Walking in the Street Where Sidewalks are Busted!
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 PEDS is also concerned about HB 76, which will make it easier to enforce the law that prohibits walking in the street where sidewalks exist. PEDS believes the bill should be amended to provide exceptions for special events, obstacles, and hazardous conditions.
Broken, uneven, or overgrown sidewalks create obstacles or tripping hazards that make them unsuitable for pedestrians who jog, run, push strollers, or use walkers or other mobilty devices.
A similar provision in Code Section 40-6-294 that requires cyclists to ride as near to the right side of the road as practical provides exceptions when "avoiding hazards to safe cycling."
PEDS has asked Representative Kevin Levitas to amend the bill to provide similar exceptions for pedestrians where sidewalk conditions are hazardous. The bill should also make it clear that pedestrians can walk in the street when roads are closed to vehicles for detours or special events. For more information, read PEDS' position statement.
Where sidewalks are broken, walking or running in the street should not be a crime! |
