More about the Cardin-Cochran amendment

As written, the Senate’s proposed transportation bill devolves federal funds to the state level, allowing state Departments of Transportation to opt out of the biking and walking programs that have been popular and successful in thousands of counties, cities, and towns across the nation. The Cardin-Cochran amendment works to further direct a small portion of those funds to local governments, whose leaders know the transportation needs of their constituents best.

Under MAP-21, funding programs for bicycling and walking are combined into one program called “Additional Activities” with an expanded list of eligible activities and a much smaller fund. The Cardin-Cochran amendment adds access for local governments to the “Additional Activities” funds in the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), without changing eligibility of projects or funding levels.

The Cardin-Cochran amendment does the following:

• Protects local control. The amendment ensures that cities and counties have a voice in how states spend transportation dollars for safer streets.

• Fosters competition for safer streets. The Cardin-Cochran amendment opens the “Additional Activities” fund to a grant program for local governments.

• Protects state flexibility. If no local governments apply for funding, funds revert to the state DOTs.

If you care about making bicycling safer, contact your two U.S. senators today to encourage them to vote for the Cardin-Cochran amendment.