Bulletin advises gubernatorial candidates on transportation issues for the fall election and beyond
Hartford, Conn.—On Tuesday, a broad coalition of transportation advocates gathered at Union Station to release their 2014 Candidate Bulletin, Moving Transportation Forward in Connecticut. The coalition challenged gubernatorial candidates to hold a debate this fall on Connecticut’s transportation needs.
The Candidate Bulletin encourages public policymakers to protect state transportation funding, plan for an uncertain federal funding future, and expedite carefully-chosen projects. Policy recommendations include a lockbox on the state transportation fund to ensure monies are used only for transportation projects, improvements to the State’s ability to deliver projects efficiently, and a statewide transportation prioritization plan.
“Connecticut’s next governor has two choices: provide safe and efficient transportation, or allow our infrastructure to crumble. Maintaining the aging system of roads, bridges, and rail lines in a state of good repair is a critical for the safety and reliability of the system that a vast majority of the traveling public are using every day to get to work and care for their families,” said Don Shubert, President of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association.
“Creating and maintaining a connected network of local and regional options is crucial for those who rely on public transportation,” said Karen Burnaska, coordinator of the Transit for Connecticut coalition. “Connecting smaller, local bus and paratransit services with regional services like trains and the CT Fastrak busway benefits all our communities throughout the state, tying them into the larger, regional transportation network, and allowing for more equitable transit access.”
“Every day Connecticut residents rely on our public transportation system to get them to work, to school, to a doctor’s appointment, to the supermarket, and more,” said Mary Tomolonius, executive director of Connecticut Association for Community Transportation. “A well-run public transportation system is a reliable and affordable option which improves quality of life, increases our communities’ economic viability, and provides job access to those currently employed and those seeking jobs.”
“Connecticut’s next governor must identify funding to address the state’s backlog of transportation projects, and work to bring our transportation system into the 21st century,” said Amanda Kennedy, Connecticut Director of Regional Plan Association.
“Transportation investment is critical for our economic competitiveness and quality of life, and we have catching up to do. The governor must lead so we can keep up with the critical transportation infrastructure improvements we need,” said Lyle Wray, executive director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments.
“Expanding and enhancing our regional transit infrastructure—whether that be buses or trains—is essential to meet our state greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said Roger Reynolds, director of climate, transportation, and land protection programs at Connecticut Fund for the Environment. “A widespread, connected, and cohesive transit system can help us meet these emissions targets while making life better for people as they move around Connecticut.”
“There is no bigger connection between the environment and the economy than the decisions we are making about transportation policy,” said Lori Brown, executive director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. “We need to listen to and support the candidates who are courageous and foresighted enough to tackle the transportation crisis we are facing in Connecticut.”
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Organizational Contacts:
Transit for CT | Karen Burnaska | 203-261-9243 | karenb01@earthlink.net
Tri-State Transportation Campaign | Joseph Cutrufo | 212-268-7474 | jcutrufo@tstc.org
CT Fund for the Environment | Roger Reynolds | 203-787-0646 | rreynolds@ctenvironment.org
Regional Plan Association | Amanda Kennedy | 203-356-0390 | Amanda@rpa.org
CACT | Mary Tomolonius | 860-693-0398 | mary.cact@yahoo.com
CT LCV | Lori Brown | 860-236-5442 | lori.brown@ctlcv.org
CRCOG | Lyle Wray | 860-522-2217 | lwray@crcog.org
CCIA | Don Shubert | 860-529-6855 | dshubert@ctconstruction.org
Supporting Organizations
- Transit for Connecticut
- Tri-State Transportation Campaign
- Connecticut Fund for the Environment
- Regional Plan Association
- CT Association for Community Transportation
- CT League of Conservation Voters
- Capitol Region Council of Governments
- Connecticut Construction Industries Association
- Stamford Chamber of Commerce
- Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce
- CT Environmental & Utilities Contractors Association
- Connecticut Road Builders Association
- Connecticut Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- Connecticut Asphalt & Aggregate Producers Association
- Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
- Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers
- New England Region Council of Carpenters
- International Union of Operation Engineers Local 478
- Bike Walk Connecticut
- American Council of Engineering Companies of Connecticut
- Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency
- Bridgeport Regional Business Council
- Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
- Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce
- League of Women Voters of Connecticut
- The Business Council of Fairfield County
- Connecticut Citizens’ Transportation Lobby
- Greater Bridgeport Regional Council
- Associated General Contractors of Connecticut
- Connecticut Subcontractors Association
- Windham Region Council of Governments
- Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce
- New Neighborhoods, Inc.
- Ironworkers Local 15
- Southeastern CT Council of Governments