“I will work to provide states and local governments with the resources they need to address sprawl and create more livable communities.”
— President-elect Obama, in a letter to T4 America
President-elect Barack Obama has responded to an online petition circulated by national advocacy group Transportation For America (remember them?).
T4 America reported on their blog today that 3,300 people signed onto a petition that was delivered to Senators John McCain and Barack Obama before their final debate back in October. The petition urged them to tell T4 America their plans for, “keeping America moving and creating new jobs by investing in our critical transportation system and infrastructure.”
Here’s a snip from the petition letter:
“We need our next president to lead an initiative to invest in public transit, high-speed trains, places to bike and walk, and green innovation. We need a president with a plan that can put millions to work in jobs that can’t be outsourced, bring down the costs of travel, and create a sustainable infrastructure that will keep America on the cutting edge.”
And here’s how President-elect Obama responded (emphasis mine):
(Photo: Ethan Jewett/Stickeen)
“…Everyone benefits if we can leave our cars, walk, bicycle and access other transportation alternatives. I agree that we can stop wasteful spending and save Americans money, and as president, I will re- evaluate the transportation funding process to ensure that smart growth considerations are taken into account.
I will build upon my efforts in the Senate to ensure that more Metropolitan Planning Organizations create policies to incentivize greater bicycle and pedestrian usage of roads and sidewalks. And as president, I will work to provide states and local governments with the resources they need to address sprawl and create more livable communities.”
Read Obama’s full, two-page response here.
Unfortunately, Obama wrote these words before he was elected. Let’s hope that he stays true to these words as he and Congress hammer out the 2009 Transportation bill…and if he doesn’t, we’ll respond with more than just an online petition.