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"Our over-reliance on cars and $4-per-gallon gasoline has led us to dig a really deep hole for ourselves. The Purple Line is the ladder that helps us climb up out of this hole toward the light of rational land use, friendly commutes and a stable climate." Mike Tidwell, director of CCAN |  |
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Newsletter of the Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line October 2007 In this issue:
1) PURPLE LINE NOW SHOWS ITS COLORS AT OCTOBER FUNDRAISER! Hundreds of Purple Line supporters converged on Montgomery College this month to push for construction funding for the Purple Line. The event, held in the College's new Student Services Center, showcased the diversity of support for the light rail transit line. Emcee and entertainment duties fell on Silver Spring's own jazz phenom: Marcus Johnson. Maestro Johnson provided personal accounts of the importance of transit while growing up in the Washington area and in his life today. Mike Tidwell, a prominent environmental activist who is Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, initiated a short program of speeches by noting the tremendous contribution to global warming resulting from the over-reliance on automobiles for transportation. AFL-CIO Metropolitan Council President Jos Williamsfollowed up by declaring that union members in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties want and need the Purple Line. Gigi Godwin, President of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, underlined the problems families and businesses face as a result of traffic congestion. Ms. Goodwin also underscored the most critical goal of the hour -- to ensure that a funding plan for Maryland's Transportation Trust Fund includes $600 million in dedicated annual revenue. Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot and Congressman Albert Wynn rounded out the program by highlighting the major lift to the Purple Line resulting from the election of Governor Martin O'Malley. Congressman Wynn declared that he would continue his strong efforts for the Purple Line in the future. 2) SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION COULD BE D-DAY FOR PURPLE LINE The special legislative session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley, to begin on October 29, could be the crucial breakthrough to victory for the Purple Line. Transit advocates can help make that happen by contacting their legislators and urging them to include Purple Line funding as part of the transportation tax package. Gov. O'Malley has proposed a plan for $400 million in new revenues for the transportation fund. But $250 million of this is destined for overdue maintenance of roads and bridges, and the remaining $150 million must be spread around the entire state. This doesn't provide enough money for major transit projects like the Purple Line. The current transportation funding plan proposes raising revenue through increases in automobile title taxes. The current plan would index gasoline tax to future inflation, but would not immediately increase the gas tax. At the same time, Metro fares are on the rise. As a result, under the current funding plan residents of the inner suburbs who typically use transit, or drive a relatively short distance to work, carry a greater financial burden for transportation improvements. Everyone who owns a car will pay the same titling tax, whether they drive 5 or 50 miles to work, or leave the car in the garage and use transit. Those who take Metro will pay a substantial fare hike on top of the titling tax increase. Enhancing the transportation funding package with a gasoline tax increase would ensure that those who use the roads share the burden of road maintenance, and at the same time would provide revenues needed to build the Purple Line. Now is the time for Purple Line advocates to contact their legislators and urge them to insist on Purple Line funding as part of the transportation tax package. For information on your legislators, visit: http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/search.asp For delegates' and senators' e-mail addresses, go to: www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hsedist.html www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/sendist.html 3) SPONSORS KEY TO FUNDRAISER SUCCESS Sponsors of the October 10th fundraiser pledged over $30,000 to Purple Line Now, helping to make the event a huge success. Sponsors represented the diversity of supporters in the region, including: Elected officials (26) pledged $7,500 Environmental groups (5) pledged $1,200 Regional groups and individuals (23) pledged $11,680 Businesses (22) pledged $9,200 Union/trade (1) pledged $550 Thank you for your continued support! 4)UPCOMING EVENTS Oct 27 - Nov 2 (to be confirmed) Special Legislative Session - Contact Your Legislator! Oct 29 - 7 PM : College Park Focus Group @ UMD Visitor Center Nov 5 - 4 PM : PLN Board Meeting Nov 7 - 6 to 8 PM: Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce Legislative Reception, CC Bank Headquarters, 7501 Wisconsin Ave (mwoods@bccchamber.org for info) Nov 14 - 6:30 to 8 PM: Coalition for Smarter Growth 10th Year Anniversary Celebration 1200 U St. NW DC (www.smartergrowth.net for info) Nov 14 - 6:30 to 8:30 PM: Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Dinner @ Bethesda Marriott, 5701 Marinelli Rd., North Bethesda, MD Nov 15 - 5:30 to 8 PM: Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, Discover the Taste of Silver Spring @ Discovery Communication (301/565-3777 for info.) Nov 29 - 4 to 8:30 PM: 1,000 Friends of MD gala, 650 S. Exeter St. Baltimore (O'Malley speaking) www.friendsofmd.org for info Dec 14 - 6:30 AM: Mont County Legislative Breakfast-MC Conv. Ctr Jan 16th 2008 - 4 PM: PLN Board Mtg 5) THIS NEWSLETTER This newsletter is produced by volunteer supporters of the Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line (CBIPL) which was formed in January, 2003 by representatives of business, labor, environmental and community organizations to promote a light rail transit line connecting Bethesda, Silver Spring, Long Branch, Takoma/ Langley Crossroads, College Park and the University of Maryland, Riverdale Park and New Carrollton. The Coalition supports completion of the hiker-biker trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, as well as pedestrian enhancements as part of the transit project elsewhere along the alignment.
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68,000 riders each weekday is huge! Counting down to completion of Purple Line DEIS; Latest news: Latest News; How you can help 
See: We need you to help keep the Purple Line a state and county priority. Write a letter, make a call or send an e-mail in support of the Purple Line today. See: Contact List |
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