Comments on: Will U.S. Legislature Defund Safe Routes to School Today?

By: Andisheh Nouraee

Andisheh Nouraee — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:24:27 +0000

I say let the market decide how many kids get hit by cars on the way to school.

By: MrFixIt

MrFixIt — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:54:09 +0000

Well, I hate to see these programs impacted. However, given our federal deficit situation, I think we have to ask ourselves whether, given the situation with our deficit… streetscapes and Safe Routes is the best expenditure of federal (as opposed to local or maybe state) dollars.

I know we are having tough times at the local and state level too so it’s hard if not impossible to fund stuff like this out of local coffers.. but the feds are not a bottomless bucket and I think we need to be careful about what federal money is spent on.

I know… tax the wealthy, close the loopholes, etc. However, even if we do those things, that money probably needs to go toward our national debt rather than toward local projects.

And I do love streetscapes and Safe Routes…. I think we just need to consider where the money really comes from.

By: Fred Boykin

Fred Boykin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:17:40 +0000

This is more than just Safe Routes To School. The proposed bill also eliminates Transportation Enhancements funding – goodby Decatur Streetscapes Program and all the trees and sidewalk improvements that have helped transform downtown Decatur. The proposed bill also removes guaranteed funding for the Mass Transit Account – a bipartisan program set up during President Reagan’s term in office.

By: G Buck

G Buck — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:28:23 +0000

I love the concept and principles – but this is not, and rightfully should not be, a federal issue.

Schools are state institutions, and funding should come from the state (or local) level. Yes, I know there is no money at these levels, but that’s really beside the point. If you’re angry or frustrated, be angry at state legislators, not the Congress which is drawing an appropriate line.

The other comments about conservative principles are just misguided distractions.

By: TOK

TOK — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:17:45 +0000

Yep, I’m tired of do-gooders pushing their lifestyle choices on us by using our money to fund “safe” “routes” to “school,” bicycling, and other elitist nonsense. We should let the marketplace make these decisions, by directing all transportation funds to building roads, like God intended.