A win for livable communities

On Monday we, along with a number of other national organizations, sent out an advocacy alert to people in states whose senators sit on the Senate Banking Committee to urge them to vote in favor of the Livable Communities Act and Senator Merkely’s amendment which made active transportation projects more prominent in the bill. Thanks to everyone that responded, the bill passed out of the committee (12 to 10). This is a big win for biking and walking, as the bill is one step closer to final passage.

So what’s in the bill?

The Livable Communities Act of 2009 will make it possible for communities to:

-Develop comprehensive regional plans to incorporate transportation, housing, community and economic development, and environmental needs

-Enables communities to enact their plans by funding Transit Oriented Development (TOD), public transportation, and pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfares that foster economic development and build livable communities.

Senator Chris Dodd says, “with sustainable development, our communities will cut traffic congestion; reduce greenhouse gas emissions and gasoline consumption; protect rural areas and green spaces; revitalize existing Main Streets and urban centers; and create more affordable housing.”

Thank you to all of you who sent messages to your senators. We will keep tabs on this bill and continue to work to get it passed.