The current version of the 600 page highway spending bill from the offices of Senator Boxer and Senator Inhofe contains a “bicycle safety” provision that is anything but.
This is interesting: the small town of Vernon, California (population 112), spent more for lobbying than the Western States Petroleum Assocation in Sacramento.
Oil companies are historically the biggest spenders in Sacramento politics, but corruption in a small southern California city prompted a bonanza of lobbying dollars.
Have you noticed the 18.4 cent Federal gasoline tax that funds 90% of the U.S. Highway Trust Fund expires on September 30?
California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed SB 582, the bill that authorizes transportation planning districts to mandate commute benefits that encourage transit, vanpools and bicycling to work.
8/1/2011 Update: Governor Jerry Brown vetoes SB 582.
Update: SB 582 passed both chambers of the California legislature the week of July 11 2011. Governor Brown has 12 days to sign SB 582 into law.
California cyclists and commuters: Please contact your state assembly member TODAY to support SB 582 — the Commuter Benefits Policies bill.