[Missouri-l] Fw: EMERGENCY ACTION UPDATE

[Kim Vaughn]

Hello,

I am a member of this group, and would encourage any of you to join.  

I believe this organization will be a tremendous help!  


Thank you.  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Edward Williams (M.A.T.R.A.-STL) 
To: bluerobin39 at sbcglobal.net 
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 11:36 AM
Subject: EMERGENCY ACTION UPDATE


Kim Vaughn 

 

EMERGENCY ACTION UPDATE

 

HOUSE BILL 22 IS BACK ALIVE AGAIN.  Yesterday there was a vote for reconsideration of HB 22, and it passed with over 100 votes and $12million for Metro Transit.  

 

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration and there will be a hearing in the Senate Appropriation Committee today at 1pm.  In the hearing, several Senators will try to get a bigger increase than the $12 million in the House version. 

 

Several House members, who voted no at first, because of what the bill would have done to Meals on Wheels, MO Healthnet, mental health services, Food Stamps, etc. have decided to vote yes for the reconsideration and yes for HB22 for two main reasons.  

 

First, Senate colleagues are going to try to increase Metro's funding in the Senate.  Second, if sufficient funds are not available next year, the governor can use a line item veto or withhold some of the spending so that it will not hurt Metro riders in the other areas of their life (Meals on Wheels, mental health services, MO Healthnet, Food Stamps, etc.). 

 

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:  First, contact members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and tell them, better yet DEMAND to increase the $12 million to $30 million so Metro can bring back most of the eliminated routes so we can get back to work.  Second, contact your state senator (NOT U.S. senators in D.C.) and DEMAND they support HB 22 with appropriations for Metro's intact. 

 

WE NEED TO DO THIS QUICKLY

 

HB 22-Home page      HB 22-PDF and it is in Section 22.285.  You have to scroll down a bit; it's toward the end of the bill.  FIND YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS

 

Missouri State Senate
Appropriations Committee 

MEMBERS:

Gary Nodler, 32nd, Chairman                Rob Mayer, 25th, Vice-Chairman

Tom Dempsey, 23rd                            David Pearce, 31st

Chuck Purgason, 33rd                          Scott Rupp, 2nd

Kurt Schaefer, 19th                             Frank Barnitz, 16th

Joan Bray, 24th                                   Tim Green, 13th

Yvonne Wilson, 9th

 

Edward Williams

Founder and Organizer

Metropolitan Area Transit Riders Alliance of ST Louis (M.A.T.R.A.-STL)

www.MATRASTL.org

314-338-5153

 
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