RESOLUTION 2010-05

Increasing Funding Support for Public Transit Systems
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
RESOLUTION 2010-05

SUMMARY:

This organization strongly urge Congress in its transportation reauthorization bill, to significantly increase funding for public transit operations, with requirements to ensure that state and local governments do not use such federal funding to replace existing state and local transit operations dollars.

WHEREAS, for a variety of reasons including disability and economic status, many persons have no other option but to rely upon public transit systems; and,

WHEREAS, studies have demonstrated that every dollar government entities invest in public transit generates a $3 return to communities that are served by such systems; and,

WHEREAS, demographically, our population is growing older, with the most dramatic increase occurring among persons who are 85 years and older, the age group in which the incidence of vision loss is most prevalent; and

WHEREAS, surveys consistently show that it is the desire of seniors to "age in place"; and

WHEREAS, recent reductions in funding for public transit operations have dramatically increased the already woeful lack of public transit availability, especially in rural areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the Downtown Sheraton Hotel in Phoenix, Ariz., on the 16th day of July that this organization strongly urge Congress, in its transportation reauthorization bill, to significantly increase funding for public transit operations, with requirements to ensure that state and local governments do not use such federal funding to replace existing state and local transit operations dollars.

Adopted.

Marlaina Lieberg, Secretary