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It is truly a disgrace, but it is (more or less) what the electorate of North Carolina voted for. All of us who are outraged by sh*t like this need to keep this in mind next time we feel or encounter apathy regarding the significance of elections and voting.
If you care, you will want to contact your senators asap. This budget bill is moving quickly through the senate.
Won't do any good. This General Assembly doesn't give a crap what the average citizen wants, only what interest groups want. If bicyclists/pedestrians woke up tomorrow with a cash-heavy lobbying group, they'd find this bill measure quietly go away.
Won't do any good. This General Assembly doesn't give a crap what the average citizen wants, only what interest groups want. If bicyclists/pedestrians woke up tomorrow with a cash-heavy lobbying group, they'd find this bill measure quietly go away.
Agreed, here are some of the key talking points referenced in the link I provided (I provided these points to my email to my State Rep):
Talking Points
Greenways and trails are the number one amenity that people look for when choosing a new neighborhood.
Greenways and trails are the number oen amenity requested in Parks and Recreation surveys throughout North Carolina.
Developers are including trails within their neighborhoods and locating near trail networks to increase their property values.
Property values are higher the closer your home is to a trail or park.
A robust trail network can help kids get to school without riding the bus or being driven by parents.
Childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children has skyrocketed. Walking or riding to school can help children get the exercise they need. In 1969, 50 percent walked to school; by 2004 the figure was down to 14 percent.
Access to transportation alternatives both transit and bicycle and pedestrian facilities have been proven to lower body weight. One estimate of the country’s annual medical bill for physical inactivity: $117 billion
Not a lobby, but if I were a realtor, or a business owner, or someone wanting to get reelected, I think I'd be in favor of things that have this effect.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the latest text show bikeways/greenways added back in (red strikethrough and green add available on the source page):
"§ 136‑41.3. Use of funds; records and annual statement; excess accumulation of funds; contracts for maintenance, etc., of streets.
(a) Uses of Funds. � The funds allocated to cities and towns under the provisions of G.S. 136‑41.2 shall be expended by said cities and towns only for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, constructing, reconstructing or widening of any street or public thoroughfare including bridges, drainage, curb and gutter, and other necessary appurtenances within the corporate limits of the municipality or for meeting the municipality's proportionate share of assessments levied for such purposes, or for the planning, construction and maintenance of bikeways, greenways, or sidewalks.
I'm a huge fan of the greenway system here in Raleigh, but I will admit I don't have a full understanding of the impact this bill would actually have on our greenway system. How much State money actually goes into the greenway? I know the new upper neuse greenway was paid for by a parks and recreation bond proposed by the City of Raleigh (not the state) and approved by residents of Raleigh who then paid for it through their city taxes. No state money was involved (as far as I can tell). Maybe the state is paying for other greenway systems??
Are these amenities not funded at a LOCAL level? Why should the state be involved?
Because the NCDOT controls a lot of the roads in cities like Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte. It's hard for municipalities to effect area planning changes when the state has what amounts to cobwebs across a city to slow down urban-friendly design. I guarantee you the local governments would like to have control over some of the secondary roads and vestigial holdings of the NCDOT. If they were serious about saving money in the NCDOT that's exactly what they'd do. But we know this isn't about saving money. This is about making a point.
I understand the cut if the funding of the green ways and maintenance and such is paid by the transportation bill and that bill is funded by gas tax .
Im assuming this bill is only referring to what the state pays into and nativeson brought interesting point who pays for bridge, gutter work when it crosses state roads.
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