NACCHO Joins Transportation for America in Applauding President Obama’s State of the Union Call for Smart Transportation Investments
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NACCHO Joins Transportation for America in Applauding President’s Call for Smart Transportation Investments The National Association of County and City Health Officials signed on to the statement issued today by Transportation for America's Equity Caucus applauding President Obama's State of the Union call for smart, targeted transportation investments that connect all Americans to opportunity. Statement by the Equity Caucus at Transportation for American on President Obama's State of the Union Address Washington, DC (January 25, 2011) The infrastructure Americans build, operate, and repair today will create jobs now and lay the foundation for a competitive and prosperous tomorrow. But our inadequate, outdated, and underfunded transportation systems are keeping too many struggling Americans—young and old, rural and urban—from fully connecting and contributing to the national economy. Millions of Americans rely exclusively on public transit, walking, or biking to get to work, to the doctor’s office, to school, and to the grocery store. Nearly 20 percent of African American households, 14 percent of Latino households, and 13 percent of Asian households live without a car. Fifteen percent of Native Americans must travel more than 100 miles to access basic services. Smarter transportation investments can unleash the under-realized economic power of communities across America. We look forward to working with President Obama and Congress to move forward a surface transportation authorization in 2011 with investments that:
The American people want these changes, too. A recent Transportation for America poll revealed that more than two-thirds say they “would like more transportation options.” By investing in transportation projects, America can get people back to work now, lay a strong foundation for future economic growth, and expand opportunity for millions of people. But we must target our investments equitably to the people and places that need them the most. Americans are ready to get back to work building our future. Alliance for Biking & Walking The Equity Caucus at Transportation for America—formed by the nation’s leading civil rights, community development, racial justice, economic justice, faith-based, health, housing, labor, environmental justice, tribal, public interest, women’s, and transportation organizations—drives transportation policies that advance economic and social equity in America. The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the nation's 2,800 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. |