From: "Friends of Transit NEWS" To: "Friends of Transit NEWS" Subject: keep light rail on track Date: Thursday, November 01, 2001 10:26 PM In case you missed it, attached below is a copy today's glowing editorial in the Arizona Republic about the Federal Transit Administration's recent stamp of approval on the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail line. As the editorial points out, this is a major hurdle the region has cleared in order to get federal funding in the area of about a half-billion dollars in matching funds. The next step will be getting approval from Congress. Since our first email on this topic, a number of you have asked for contact information for our Congressional Delegation, so we have attached it (below article). For your convenience, we had also published this information to our website - http://www.friendsoftransit.org. Lastly, as a reminder, there is an election coming up next Tuesday in Glendale on a balanced transportation plan. If you want to learn more about the item before the voters, you can go to our website and view the second printed newsletter which featured this ballot item, or visit the City of Glendale's website at http://www.ci.glendale.az.us. David Schwartz Executive Director david@friendsoftransit.org Cities must focus and work together keep light rail on track Nov. 01, 2001 The Federal Transit Administration's backing of the proposed light-rail line connecting Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa is an important stamp of approval on the initial 20.3-mile rail segment. It makes the project eligible for about a half-billion dollars of federal matching funds, moves it toward a final design phase, and keeps the project on track to begin construction in 2003. But it is more than that. The "recommended" rating also should clear away any political opposition from members of the state's congressional delegation who take a dubious view of mass transit. Without the rating, the project would have been susceptible to allegations of political pork. Now that it has cleared that litmus test, no one in the delegation will be placed in the untenable position of defending a pork barrel project. Still, there are no guarantees. Congress will be the ultimate arbiter when the $1 billion project comes up for funding, hopefully in 2003, and it would be helpful if our delegation exhibited a show of unanimity that's reflective of public support for light rail. That's not the case right now. According to Phoenix officials, only Sen. Jon Kyl and Rep. Ed Pastor are firmly supportive, with Reps. J.D. Hayworth and John Shadegg willing to put their support in writing but not campaign in its behalf. Sen. John McCain and Rep. Bob Stump are on the fence; Rep. Jeff Flake is opposed; and Rep. Jim Kolbe hasn't been contacted. Among Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, there are emerging financial challenges, more pronounced because of a down economy and falloffs in sales tax collections. Will there be cutbacks in the number of light-rail stations? Where will they be located? Will spaces in park and ride lots be reduced, or lots deferred? Another question is the state of relations between Tempe and Phoenix given the dispute over the site of the Cardinals stadium. It would be a tragedy if peripheral issues undermined the promise of light rail. This is a time for the cities to stay focused and work together to keep the project on track and on budget. Arizona Delegation and Transit Staff Contacts Senators Sen. John McCain (R) 202-224-2235 Transportation Staff - Ann Begeman Local Contact - Jim Waring 602-952-2410 Sen. Jon L. Kyl (R) 202-224-4521 Transportation Staff - Kevin Moran Local Contact - Kim Wold 602-840-1891 Representatives Jeff Flake (R-1st) 202-225-2635 Chief of Staff (D.C. and Local) - Steve Voeller 480-833-0092 Ed Pastor (D-2nd) 202-225-4065 Transportation Staff - Eve Young Local Contact - Ron Piceno 602-256-0551 (no blocked calls) Bob Stump (R-3rd) 202-225-4576 Transportation staff - Mary Petrella or Bruce Bartholomew Local Chief of Staff -Lisa Atkins 602-379-6923 John Shadegg (R-4th) 202-225-3361 Transportation staff - Teddy Enyon or Seth Haring Local Contact - Sean Noble 602-263-5300 J.D. Hayworth (R-6th) 202-225-2190 Transportation Staff - Jill Henriques Local Contact - Doug Nick 480-926-4151