TIME-SENSITIVE SIGN-ON REQUEST National Campaign for Transit Justice response to surface transportation bill

[Zoe Miller]

Hi there, 

I wanted to encourage folks to sign on to this letter with the National Campaign for Transit Justice. Here is the link to read and sign: https://forms.gle/ivvNnpbKAxP1BBsf6

 

Some background from Lee Ann Hall of National Campaign for Transit Justice 

As expected, Operations Funding is not included in the bill. Our strategy is to support Representative Johnson in moving an amendment to include operations funding. We are then moving to have several T&I members speak in favor of the amendment before it is withdrawn.  

 

Please sign the national letter evaluating the bill based on our collective priorities. We need to get over 100 signers by Wednesday to release it to the press.  

 

You can watch the hearing on Thursday, May 21st, here.  We will let you know when they list the hearing time. 

Here are the links to both the text of the bill and a section-by-section summary. 

• Link to the text of the BUILD America 250 Act
• Link to a section-by-section summary of the BUILD America 250 Act

If you have any questions, pls feel free to call or email lee...@justrategy.org 

Lee

[Emma Holder]

Hi All,

The signers are organizations only at the time, with the signer being a representative of the organization. May out President or secretary do this for us?

Thanks,

Emma

Emma Holder

207.415.7204

Http://emmaholder.com

Humankind. Let's be both. 

On May 19, 2026, at 16:57, Zoe Miller <zoes...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Myles G. Smith]

The form has a box on it that allows you to affirm that you are authorized to endorse the platform on behalf of the organization. 

My interpretation is that as long as your group is fine with your signing on behalf of the group, then it’s fine by them if the signatory is not actually the Chair/President.

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[Zack Barowitz]

I signed. But I think it’s a little weird that they only want signatures from organizations, and the duly authorized representatives from those organizations. Ordinary people just have no capital these days.

I signed as a representative from the Libby town neighborhood Association

207-838-6120

917-696-5649
ZacharyBarowitz.com

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[Emma Holder]

Oh good idea Zack, 

If everyone signs as the rep of their NA and someone signs from the PBPAC, that boosts the numbers of signatures!

Emma

Emma Holder

LMT MSc CMLDT

Humankind, let's be both

207 415 7204

em...@emmaholder.com

https://emmaholder.com

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[Zack Barowitz]

True. But I’d still prefer a petition for people to sign without displaying credentials 

207-838-6120

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[Scsmedia]

As expected, Operations Funding is not included in the bill. Our strategy is to support Representative Johnson in moving an amendment to include operations funding. We are then moving to have several T&I members speak in favor of the amendment before it is withdrawn.  

The request here was for people representing organizations to sign on to a letter supporting the above action in relation to the BUILD America 250 Act. 

I suspect what this is about went over the heads of most the people on the list.  The digest below of the bill is 64 pages long (the digest refers to doing certain things with out saying what those things are).  The bill itself is 1,005 pages long.   The bill is "To authorize funding for Federal-aid highways, bridge construction and rehabilitation, highway safety programs, transit programs, and rail programs, and for other purposes."  

Note, the  request above does not even say what they are asking for.  Just to support "operations funding that was not included in the bill".  Funding of what?*  

We are then moving to have several T&I members speak in favor of the amendment before it is withdrawn.  

Who is we and why are they looking to this strategy.  Me thinks that they are looking to produce sound bite members of congress can use in upcoming campaign and that this group really does seek to to have the "operations funding" actually approved.

I don't think this is ripe for the Portland Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee to sign on to.

* The letter that is linked does note that the "operations funding" is this bill that Congressman Johnson wants to add to the bill: 

Notably, it does not include Rep. Hank Johnson's H.R. 3449, the Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act, a common-sense proposal to establish a federal transit operations program to ensure transit systems can provide the frequent, reliable service riders depend on every day.

Steven Scharf

207-415-4662

SCSM...@aol.com

PS: The website of National Campaign for Transit Justice  is https://transitjustice.org/ if you would like to do further reseach.

[Zoe Miller]

Hi all, 

Apologies for not providing more context. This is advocating for federal transit operations funding, which historically has not been provided. 

And yes, the strategy is to get organizations to sign on. I was suggesting PBPAC sign on. 

Friends of Allen's Corner as signed. 

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Zoe Miller

207-838-8382

[Myles G. Smith]

Steven, and all,

I personally know Lee Ann, who is the leader of 'we' in the case of the National Campaign for Transit Justice. She's also worked with Zoe and others on this listserv. I also received a request to sign onto this campaign from America Walks, as well as the Freeway Fighters Network. 

PBPAC's priorities include expanding transit service frequency and reach (#5). The easiest way to do this would be for the US DOT to fund transit operations, not just road construction and repaving. This campaign is directly in line with our mission.

The second easiest way to do this would be for Maine DOT to fund transit operations in Maine. Our state government pays for about 2% of transit operations in the state.

Is their campaign likely to succeed in this environment? No. Hopefully a future Congress and administration hear from the public that transportation choice, fairness, and access for non-drivers is important, and we change hearts and minds over time. But we won't do that without speaking up. Typically transit funding in a transportation budget is not sound-bite worthy, but if it becomes part of the national debate some day, great. We'll be better off than if it is ignored.

Whether or not it's worth our time to take a few minutes to endorse it, given that it may only have a small impact, is a fair question. I've asked one of our other executive committee members to endorse it on behalf of PBPAC. I don't even see the need for a vote, given the purpose and alignment with our goals.

Anyone is welcome to write to me if they have any questions or doubts about that, I'll be happy to discuss with you.

Cheers,

Myles

Chair, PBPAC

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[Zoe Miller]

Thank you Myles for the backup! And love the idea of all our neighborhood groups signing on:) 

Zoe Miller

207-838-8382

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