I'm probably not the first person to suggest this... We should talk about ways to change the law so that someone can't put a proposal out there and get it passed within a week, without enough time for the public to get involved in the process. Some kind of cooling-off period for laws. It might be hard to make such a change, but it's better than having to go into panic-quick-quick-contact-your-lawmakers mode every few months. By the way, is it kosher to forward stuff from a WG list to the staff list? Or is that considered similar to forwarding stuff from internal lists to the internet at large? Jym Dyer wrote:
[From TALC]
Transportation and Land Use Coalition Action Alert Urgent Action Needed-Tell Governor Schwarzenegger Hands Off Regional Measure 2!
NOTE: This is URGENT! Please CALL TODAY and forward this email to your lists. We have a very short time to weigh in on this issue!
The Governor has put forward a proposal to use the proceeds of Regional Measure 2 to pay for the cost overruns on the east span of the Bay Bridge. Regional Measure 2, the $1 bridge toll increase approved by Bay Area voters in March 2004, was a comprehensive safety and congestion relief package that included the seismic retrofit of BARTs Transbay Tube and projects to improve mobility for Bay Area commuters by expanding and improving bus, rail, and ferry service.
This bill will have to be passed within one week to put this matter on the November ballot, so we must let the Governor know that he cannot force us to choose between safety and mobility, and that he needs to keep his hands off Regional Measure 2.
1-Join TALCs phone campaign by calling the Governors office: We are a ``Hot Item'' on the Governors system, so weighing in on this issue takes about 15 seconds! Dial 916-445-2841, and press 5 to access the ``Hot Items'' Press 1 to comment on the Governors Bay Bridge funding solution Press 2 to DISAGREE with the Governors solution and to save Regional Measure 2.
2-Spread the word through email or by word of mouth-send this action alert to your email list and get everyone you know to call!
3-If you have something specific to say to the Governor about his proposal, please send him a fax or email: Email: Compose and send through http://www.govmail.ca.gov/ Fax: 916-445-4633
4-Contact your state legislators and thank them for fighting so hard to protect Regional Measure 2. You can find their contact information here: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/acsframeset9text.htm
Talking points on why Governor Schwarzenegger should keep his hands off Regional Measure 2: * Bay Area residents shouldnt have to choose between safety and mobility. Without the projects funded by Regional Measure 2, the Bay Area will have poor transportation alternatives and face unbearable congestion on our roads and bridges in the future. * Regional Measure 2 partially funds the seismic retrofit of BARTs Transbay Tube. Does the Governor really think it is fair to improve the safety of Bay Bridge travelers at the expense of the safety of BART riders? * Reallocating the funds from Regional Measure 2 breaks faith with Bay Area voters, who overwhelmingly approved spending that bridge toll increase on congestion relief projects. * The State and the region have historically shared costs associated with retrofitting or replacing state-owned toll bridges, particularly when they are damaged by a natural disaster. By demanding that the Bay Area foot the entire bill for the east span cost overruns, the Governor is setting a dangerous precedent. The next time there is an earthquake or a fire in Southern California, is the state going to turn their back on those Californians as well?
-- Tom Zych freethinker@pobox.com