ARRA ARRA has been following the debate in Congress on the Transportation Equity Act. This act distributes funds from the federal gasoline tax to various programs, including the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). A few weeks ago, ARRA reported that the Senate was about to vote on this bill. We asked for help and you responded—and so did the U.S. Senate! By a vote of 76-21, the Senate passed its version of the surface transportation reauthorization bill (S. 1072), which includes an increase from $50 million to $60 million in annual funding for RTP. Thanks for your efforts in writing to your Senators! And now there is more to be done. The U.S. House of Representatives is working on H.R. 3550, its own version of the transportation bill. This bill includes even greater funding for RTP than the Senate bill. RTP funding would start at $70 million annually and grow to $150 million over the next five years. This comes from the gasoline taxes you pay at the pump—for your off-road motorcycle or ATV, your snowmobile or 4x4. So get involved now by writing to your Representative and expressing your support for RTP and H.R. 3550. |