|
|
KyMBA Community
|
 |
|
 |
| Author |
Messages |
|
Jason
Granny Gear
Posts:32
Registered Users
 |
| 03/09/2008 12:44 AM |
|
Ok so here are two different Senate Bills, and I don't think it matters what state you live in for this call:
What happens is this:
They have two trays for each bill - for and against.
When you call, they write it down and put it in the corresponding tray.
The State Senators walk by and look at the height of the piles to determine support or opposition.
So here it is
SB196 (The KY Recreational Trails Authority Bill)
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08rs/sb196.htm
SB145 (Complete streets)
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08rs/sb145.htm
You can call this number 1-800-372-7181.
For the Complete Streets bill, make sure your message gets to your state senator as well as Senator Pro Tempore Katie Stine.
For
the Recreational Trails Authority Bill, make sure that your local
senator and Senator Pro Tempore Katie Stine know why it's important.
Right now it keeps getting returned.
If you want to email instead or in addition- it's here: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/whoswho/email.htm
They do listen!
|
|
|
|
|
chuck_clark
Big Ring
Posts:345
Registered Users
Louisville
|
| 03/09/2008 11:22 AM |
|
So we can sound halfway intelligent (well Rico will sound 1/4 intelligent), could you give us some talking points for each bill?
Thanks! |
|
|
|
|
Jason
Granny Gear
Posts:32
Registered Users
|
| 03/09/2008 12:44 PM |
|
You don't really need talking points, unless you do want to elaborate. I say this because I'd rather see everyone call right away rather than forget about it because they want to go the extra distance. Surveys have found that a just a phone call has a good chance of influencing their decision. If you want to go the extra mile and give a little more in-depth info, it will have almost twice the chance of influencing the legislators decision.
What each bill means in a nutshell (please read them first if you get a chance)
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08rs/SB196/bill.doc
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08rs/SB145/bill.doc
Senate Bill 196 - This allows the state and/or municipalities to enter into agreements with private landowners who grant an easement of sorts for recreational trails, it takes away the liability from the landowner for anyone who uses said trails, and it allows public money to be spent on the construction and maintenance of the trails. It would allow us to make trails all over the state, trails that could even be used for "off road transportation" because it's much easier to build connecting trails when you can link together different landowners (like the power company)
Senate Bill 145 - This would require that bicycle and pedestrian ways be given full consideration in the planning and development of state transportation facilities and allow bicycle and pedestrian ways to be included; require the cabinet to establish design and construction standards for bicycle and pedestrian ways. It does not force rural road projects to have these facilities or projects where the lanes and sidewalks would cost much more to build (like where more property would be needed, or digging into a hillside) Senate Bill 145 is currently before the Senate Appropriations & Revenue - http://www.lrc.ky.gov/committee/Standing/A&R(S)/members.htm - so make sure to contact someone on this list as well so they understand that these facilities cost very little to build when a road is being reconstructed or built new (1 to 5% more), but much more to retrofit once the road is finished. And while it does cost more up front, the money would come back almost immediately through reduced healthcare costs, bussing, reduced reliance on foreign oil and congestion.
Here are some talking points:
50 Million Americans age 16 and older enjoy the freedom of riding a mountain bike.
Recognise their vote - the voting strength of mountain bikers is more than 1 1/3 times the voting strength of Americans 65 an older. 15% of Kentucky Residents Mountain Bike according to Sporting Goods industry sales information and US government surveys. That's over 630,000
Mountain Biking Pumps $26 BILLION in to the American Economy in direct expenditures alone, benefiting retail sales, services and tourism-related industries locally regionally and nationally. This figure does not take into account the ripple effect - it is direct sales of mountain biking equipment, travel, and tourism expeditures as a result of mountain biking.
Investing in Mountain Bike Trails has a DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT on local and neighboring communities
-the Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania produced $14 million annual revenue while half finished.
IN particular to this bill - Kentucky has the lowest percentage of Public lands available for recreation of any state in the US, mainly because coal companies and other private firms ow the lands with no plans for them. The Recreational Trails Bill would open these private lands to be used for public recreation. IF THIS BILL PASSES, Kentucky has the highest potential in the country.
States with high percentages of mountain bikers generally have high percentages of residents who are physically active.
To both Bills - Cardiovascular disease affects 70 million adults in the US and costs the economy over $400 billion each year, and its growing. According to recent studies, KENTUCKY IS IN THE LEAD, WITH THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PHYSICALLY INACTIVE RESIDENTS. Complete Streets allow for people of all ages to enjoy walking, biking running and doing physical exercise - even small amounts make a marked difference.
AARP Supports the Complete Streets initiative - it has been found that active seniors enjoy a higher quality of life and longer life until death. This means More independence and and less time in nursing homes or with assisted care.
With the cal-de-sac construction mentality of the last half-century, many communities are dis-connected from schools, stores, and each other. Complete Streets and Recreational Trails can help to reverse this trend, allowing people to get moderate exercise by walking and riding a bicycle as alternative transportation while feeling safe. It may be coincidence - the last part of the 20th Century is same period inactivity became prevalent.
Oregon is the only state in the county currently reversing the trend of obesity - it happens to be the most bicycle friendly state in the country, and has Complete Streets and trail ways throughout.
KENTUCKY NEEDS THIS NOW MORE THAN EVER. Our state is #1 is inactivity and #3 in obesity. Physical activity is one of public healths "best buys." It can cut in HALF the risk of developing coronary heart disease, and cut the risk of develiping hypertension by almost a third. What type of activity does WHO (World Health Organization) recommend? WALKING AND CYCLING!
*many of these talking points were made with materials from Bikes Belong, IMBA and Shimano.
|
|
|
|
|
chuck_clark
Big Ring
Posts:345
Registered Users
Louisville
|
| 03/09/2008 4:22 PM |
|
| Thanks! |
|
|
|
|
pat_collins
Little Ring
Posts:91
Registered Users
|
| 03/09/2008 6:59 PM |
|
SB196 came out of the Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority, of which I am a member. I testified to the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources committee last thursday, After speaking with our sponsor Senator Brandon Smith we think we have it under control in the senate. This is why I haven't posted a call to arms, once this hits the House we are going to need everyone to call and actually show support for this bill.
The testimony went well on Thursday and the senators were all interested and seemed to support Adventure Tourism in KY. I will keep everyone posted on when we actually NEED YOU TO CALL!!! Please everyone be ready and plan on calling your representative when this gets to the house. I will keep everyone posted. |
|
|
|
|
Jason
Granny Gear
Posts:32
Registered Users
|
| 03/09/2008 11:28 PM |
|
Cool. I am really glad someone is looking out for us. I wish there was a better way for us to stay in communication on issues like this. I'm pretty new at this, but it seems we could be doing it better, maybe as we develop the new website.
Although it's not as important since it sounds like the bill has wide support, if we keep communicating "bicycle" to our legislators more often, they will realize the extent of the support for these bills and they will be likely to pass with less revisions. Vote early, vote often!
The Complete Streets bill does need all the support it can get just to make it to the House because the Transportation Department doesn't want to have to report to anyone and the costs have been grossly overstated. Real costs are between 1-5% depending on the project. |
|
|
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
|
|
ActiveForums 3.7
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|