[imc-st.louis] Fwd: House Bill 22 Update ($15Mill for Metro)

[Ben West]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Edward Williams (M.A.T.R.A.-STL) <edwardwilliams at matrastl.org>
Date: Tue, May 5, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Subject: EMERGENCY ACTION UPDATE
To: westbywest at gmail.com


 *Ben West***

*EMERGENCY ACTION UPDATE*



*HOUSE BILL 22<http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills091/billpdf/perf/HB0022P.PDF>IS
BACK ALIVE AGAIN
.*  Yesterday there was a vote for reconsideration of HB 22, and it passed
with over 100 votes and $12million for Metro Transit.



The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration and there will be a
hearing in the Senate Appropriation Committee today at 1pm.  In the hearing,
several Senators will try to get a bigger increase than the $12 million in
the House version.



Several House members, who voted no at first, because of what the bill would
have done to Meals on Wheels, MO Healthnet, mental health services, Food
Stamps, etc. have decided to vote yes for the reconsideration and yes for
HB22 for two main reasons.



First, Senate colleagues are going to try to increase Metro’s funding in the
Senate.  Second, if sufficient funds are not available next year, the
governor can use a line item veto or withhold some of the spending so that
it will not hurt Metro riders in the other areas of their life (Meals on
Wheels, mental health services, MO Healthnet, Food Stamps, etc.).



*THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:*  First, contact members of the Senate
Appropriations Committee <http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/comm/aprp.htm> and
tell them, better yet DEMAND to increase the $12 million to $30 million so
Metro can bring back most of the eliminated routes so we can get back to
work.  Second, contact your state
senator<http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx>
*(NOT U.S. senators in D.C.) *and DEMAND they support HB 22 with
appropriations for Metro’s intact.



*WE NEED TO DO THIS QUICKLY*



HB 22 <http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills091/bills/hb22.htm>-Home
page      HB 22<http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills091/billpdf/perf/HB0022P.PDF>-PDF
and it is in Section 22.285.  You have to scroll down a bit; it’s toward the
end of the bill.  FIND YOUR STATE
LEGISLATORS<http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx>



*Missouri State Senate*
*Appropriations Committee*

MEMBERS:

Gary Nodler, 32nd,
Chairman<http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem32.htm>
Rob Mayer, 25th,
Vice-Chairman<http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem25.htm>

Tom Dempsey, 23rd <http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem23.htm>
        David Pearce, 31st<http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem31.htm>

Chuck Purgason, 33rd
<http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem33.htm>
        Scott Rupp, 2nd <http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem02.htm>

Kurt Schaefer, 19th
<http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem19.htm>
        Frank Barnitz, 16th<http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem16.htm>

Joan Bray, 24th <http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem24.htm>
        Tim Green, 13th <http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem13.htm>

Yvonne Wilson, 9th <http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/members/mem09.htm>



Edward Williams

Founder and Organizer

Metropolitan Area Transit Riders Alliance of ST Louis (M.A.T.R.A.-STL)

www.MATRASTL.org

314-338-5153





-- 
Ben West
westbywest at gmail.com
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