[Summit] FW: Chance to block the Multi-Hub Bus Project: write & testify!

[Greg Gerritt]

From: "John Flaherty, Rhode Island Transit Riders" <jflaherty at growsmartri.org>
Reply-To: <jflaherty at growsmartri.org>
Date: Monday, April 5, 2021 at 4:00 PM
To: Greg Gerritt <gerritt at mindspring.com>
Subject: Chance to block the Multi-Hub Bus Project: write & testify! 

 

Write to the House Finance Committee by April 7th, 2021 

Friends, There's a timely opportunity to amend state law in a way that would prohibit the use of the 2014 Transit Bond to fund the dismantling of the central bus hub in Kennedy Plaza. In order to make use of the bond (which has languished for nearly 7 years), the expiration date must be extended. There will be a hearing to discuss the extension at the House Finance Committee on Wednesday, April 7 at the "rise" (approx. 4 PM) The Rhode Island Transit Riders are seeking an amendment to line 6 of Article 1, Section 18 of the State Budget, adding the following two sentences: "Per the 2014 Bond Referendum question, funds may only be utilized to fund enhancements and renovations to transit hub infrastructures. Therefore, no bond funds may be utilized to dismantle or otherwise deconstruct the state's primary transit hub in Kennedy Plaza." PLEASE PROVIDE WRITTEN OR VERBAL TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS AMENDMENT! VERBAL TESTIMONY: Requests for verbal testimony must be submitted via the link HERE, by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. WRITTEN TESTIMONY: Written testimony must be sent to HouseFinance at rilegislature.gov by noon on 4/7. Sample email: SUBJECT: Wednesday, 4/7 Hearing on Budget Article 1, Section 18 (Extension of Bonds) Dear House Finance Committee Members, My name is __________, I'm from __________ and I use RIPTA as my primary way of getting to ________, __________ and __________. I'm very concerned about the loss of a central bus hub where I can make timely transfers and connections to get where I'm going. Breaking up transfer locations means that it will take me even longer than it already does to get where I'm going by bus.   I'm especially upset that RIDOT will use the 2014 Mass Transit Hub Infrastructure Bond funds to dismantle and deconstruct the central bus hub in Kennedy Plaza.  This was not what voters like me intended when I voted in favor of that bond.   Please amend Article 1, Section 18 by inserting the following two sentences beginning on line 6 of as follows: "Per the 2014 Mass Transit Hub Infrastructure Bond ballot question, funds may only be utilized to fund enhancements and renovations to transit hub infrastructures. No bond funds may be utilized to dismantle or otherwise deconstruct the state's primary transit hub in Kennedy Plaza." Thank you, [YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS] Please take this opportunity for public comment to prevent our voter-approved bond money from being used in a way that has not been approved or vetted by the transit-riding public! With gratitude,John and the RI Transit Riders
 

 

 

 Providence Streets Coalition
71 CHAPIN AVE
PROVIDENCE, RI 02909
United States
 

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