ACTION ALERT: Testify in favor of transferring MTA funding and investigating pedestrian fatalities

[Myles G. Smith]

Hello PBPACers!

Today is the last good day to submit written testimony in support of LD 1292, which would sweep away the funding reserves of the MTA that have been amassed, in part to build the Gorham Connector. We estimate that over $200 million would become eligible for reallocation to the state highway fund. While the MTA makes $40 million per year in toll 'profits', we have a $300+ million deficit in the highway fund. This makes no sense. The MTA has consistently spent whatever surplus it has on itself, regardless of what the state needs most. We have far more important needs for those funds than more Turnpike!

Here's a link to the instructions on how to testify, as well as some suggested talking points for LD 1292. I've also attached the fact sheet with more ideas.

If you don't have much time, just click here to go to the testimony page, and select 'public hearing', then 'Transportation' committee, then 'April 8 2025 1pm', then 'LD 1292', and then submit a few comments in support of the bill in the dialog box that appears below.

If you can't get to it today, tomorrow is okay too! But, today is better. The hearing is tomorrow, Tuesday April 8 at the State House in Augusta at 1pm. Folks can also register to deliver their testimony via Zoom at that same place. 

Also: on Thursday, there will be a hearing on LD 1384, which directs the department of Public Safety to look into data and causes for accidents involving pedestrians. This bill would create a report, which could be used to pass good law next year to protect pedestrians. I don't know much about it other than what I'm reading, which is enough to earn my own support. You can submit testimony on this bill by following the same procedure as above, but instead selecting April 11 2025 at 10:01am and LD 1384. 

Cheers,

Myles