TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA’S MINNESOTA COALITION COMMENDS CHAIRMAN OBERSTAR FOR JUMPSTART ON TRANSPORTATION REFORM, CALLS FOR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO REFORM FROM CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION

June 17, 2009

CONTACT:
Katie Eukel
651-767-0298 x115
KatieE@tlcminnesota.org

SAINT PAUL — Lea Schuster, executive director of Transit for Livable Communities and executive committee member of Transportation for America, released the following statement in response to Chairman Oberstar’s blueprint for the upcoming transportation bill, released today:

“Chairman Oberstar has released an outline of what he has called a “transformational” bill. We’re still reviewing the details, but his outline underscores a growing consensus on the need for a serious overhaul of our federal transportation program. The federal bill deeply impacts how we get around in Minnesota; we need increased transportation options, a safe and clean transportation system, and long-overdue repair of our roads and bridges. Transit for Livable Communities and its partners in the Transportation for America campaign look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to implement common-sense policies that ensure Minnesotans can reach their destinations safely and conveniently.”

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ABOUT TRANSIT FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Transit for Livable Communities is a regional, nonpartisan organization working to reform Minnesota’s transportation system. Through advocacy, organizing, education, and research, it promotes a balanced transportation system that encourages transit, walking, bicycling, and thoughtful development. Transit for Livable Communities is a lead partner of the Transportation for America: Minnesota coalition. www.tlcminnesota.org www.tlcminnesota.org

ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA’S MINNESOTA COALITION
Transportation for America’s Minnesota coalition is affiliated with the national Transportation for America campaign. It is a broad coalition of housing, environmental, equal opportunity, public health, urban planning, transportation and other organizations focused on creating a 21st Century national transportation program in Minnesota.  It The coalition’s goal is to build a modernized infrastructure and healthy communities where people can live, work and play by aligning national, state, and local transportation policies with an array of issues like economic opportunity, climate change, energy security, health, housing and community development. www.t4america.org