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| bike, public transp |
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.),who often rides a bike to work himself, is introducing a legislation to help people and businesses cope with bad economy and high fuel prices.
According to Blumenauer ”the only way to meaningfully protect Americans from spikes in gas prices is to make alternatives to driving more convenient and affordable.”
His proposed “Commuter Relief Act” offers commuters immediate relief and options with the intent of adding no additional cost to the federal deficit. The legislation will would expand tax credits "for individuals and employers to make it easier for commuters who wish to commute to work by bicycle, walking, carpooling, or using public transit."
Specifically, the bill would equalize the parking and transit benefits at $200 per month; let people claim benefits for more than one mode of transportation; and allow employees the option to take cash instead of an employer's parking benefit, "reducing the incentive to drive instead of take alternative transportation." It would also increase the current bike benefit (which Blumenauer got passed back in 2009) from $20 to $40 per month.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer said "Our goal is to lay out a budget-neutral alternative that gives people some choices,.. One of my favorite options here is giving people the opportunity to cash in their employer-provided parking…giving a commuter the opportunity to say, I'd like to take that money and buy a bike and a bus pass and enrich my life and my health."
Rep. Earl Blumenauer has been joined in his efforts by Rep. Jim Moran and Mazie Hirono. I am glad to see we have sensible politicians who care about people and the community.
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