Governor Jay Inslee dug one hell of a climate change hole by pushing a highway-filled transportation package through the legislature a couple weeks ago. And now he’s trying to save face by digging deeper.
The Governor is currently mulling an idea that would trade hundreds of millions of dollars in bike/walk safety and trails funding for so-called “clean” fuels standards. WA Bikes has sent out an alert telling supporters to oppose this idea. You can use their handy online form to send Inslee a message yourself. Here’s a taste of the same letter:
Right now you have backed into a false choice between achieving your carbon emission reduction goals and biking and walking safety (a stated priority in your own Healthiest Next Generation Initiative). I support you working to explore other options to reduce the state’s carbon emissions, but not at the expense of sacrificing immediate investments in the health and safety for our children, better bikeways, and complete connections for biking and walking that, not coincidentally, also reduce our state’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Let’s rewind: 94 percent of the $15 billion package is already directed to highways, and most of that funding will go to new highways or highway expansion projects (not necessary maintenance or paying off previous highway-building loans). These are long-term investments in more driving, more sprawling car-dependent developments, more public health crises and more greenhouse gas emissions.
