Go Rail Go!
IMPORTANT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday - March 4, 2009: CALL TO ACTION SB1626
Senate Ways and Means Committee to Hear Rail Tax Bill.
SB 1626 Raids the Rail Transit Fund!
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: Conference Room 211 - State Capitol
What the Bill Does
SB 1626 allows the state to “borrow” up to $150 million from the transit fund to balance the budget and repay the amount borrowed with revenues derived from the issuance of state general obligation bonds. In addition, the bill extends the lifespan of the surcharge on state general excise and use tax for two additional years - to 2024.
OPPOSE Senate Bill 1626!
Elected officials created the half-percent tax surcharge for O'ahu to specifically finance the rail project. At almost the precise point when work should be starting, the state is now proposing to “borrow” from this dedicated funding source.
The people of Oahu voted in November to approve the rail project and essentially gave the City and County of Honolulu a directive to “build the train" – a directive that some elected officials seem to be ignoring.
Our entire congressional delegation agrees that any delay in the rail project – and any effort to tamper with the dedicated funding source - sends a mixed message to Congress that could cost our island and the state sorely needed federal funds that will generate jobs and stimulate our economy.
The proposal is short-sighted and bails out elected officials from having to make the more difficult and fiscally responsible decisions to deal with our state’s current economic crisis.
SB 1626 jeopardizes one of the most important public works projects in Hawaii’s history and endangers not only federal dollars, but the investment of private money in the transit-oriented development projects envisioned around each of the train stops. That's more jobs and more tax revenue that the city and state governments need.
Extending the surcharge an additional two years does not account for the loss of compounded interest that could’ve been realized had the state not raided $150 million from the transit fund. Nor is there any way to anticipate that the collection during the additional two years will equal the collection experienced during the economic boom years of 2007 and 2008.
In this economy, there are many cities eager for federal construction funds including the additional $8 billion in transit funds included in President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Package. SB 1626 effectively waters down our commitment and risks losing rail transit on Oahu – again! It is a risk not worth taking.
Submit written testimony. In person testimony is needed!
Address testimony to: Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Chair, and Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, Vice Chair. Please include a statement about your personal commitment to rail and how it impact you and your ohana.
Submit testimony by email to the Committee at WAMTestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov . Please indicate the measure, date and time of the hearing.
ISLAND INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII - Thursday, Feb 12, 2009
"Who's Going To Pay For It?" - This topic being presented tomorrow on Island Insights is going to focus on the shortfalls in tax revenues and where the State is going to find the money in order to balance the budget - including the topic of the diversion of funds from the GET rail fund.
Be sure to tune in at 7:30pm on Channel 11
What's In The Headlines Today?!
February 5, 2009:
City Begins Accepting Bids to Start Phase I of Rail - KGMB9 News: http://kgmb9.com/main/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13838&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=40HAPPY NEW YEAR RAIL SUPPORTERS!!!!
2008 Information:
Interested in Volunteering?!
Contact us at gorailgo@gmail.com - please include your name, contact information, days/times available and what you are interested in doing (sign-waving, phone calls, canvassing, and more!)
BALLOT QUESTION - Shall the powers, duties, and functions of the city, through its director of transportation services, include establishment of a steel wheel on steel rail transit system?
If you vote YES: the city will move ahead with its plan to build a fixed guideway rail system from Kapolei to Ala Moana
If you vote NO: the city will not be allowed to vuild the proposed fixed guideway rail system from Kapolei to Ala Moana.
So Remember, Vote YES for RAIL now - it's the 4th initiative on the ballot - and NO HUHU, RIDE DA CHOO CHOO!
October 10, 2008: Join us for Pau Hana Rail at our Headquarters - Doors open at 5:30 and close when you go home! Live Music from Chad Pule beginning at 6:30. Come out and talk story, meet new people and join us for good food, drinks and music! See you there!
October 6, 2008: Today is the last day to REGISTER TO VOTE. This election is extremely important - please make your voice and vote be heard! For more information on the voting process please visit www.honoluluelections.org.
October 3, 2008: Go Rail Go / Vote Yes 4 Rail Now HEADQUARTERS GRAND OPENING: This past weekend GRG opened it's headquarters at 1144 Bethel Street in Honolulu. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us and show your support for Rail! It was a great time! Also T-Shirts and Bumper Stickers are in! Remember "No Huhu, Ride Da Choo Choo!"
On November 4th - VOTE YES ON 4 - Click Here to learn more about the Four Reasons Why!
September 5, 2008: Go Rail Go Sets Its' Sights On November 4th! City Council Resolution 166, CD 1, FD 1 passed on September 3rd, and the following question will be placed on the November ballot: "Shall the powers, duties, and functions of the city, through its director of transportation services, include establishment of steel wheel on steel rail transit system?" To find out what's next for Go Rail Go....CLICK HERE
August 7, 2008: Members of Go Rail Go gave a presentation at the Downtown Neighborhood Board Meeting on why rail is good for our island - it reduces congestion, improves our environmental outlook and allows for a better future for our kids. We Will Ride was also represented at the meeting. Thank you to all who came out to support us.
We're On Facebook! - Click Here to be directed to our facebook group page
Spread the Word
See the advertisement which ran in the Honolulu Advertiser and Midweek. You can print this and pass it along to your friends.Calculating Your Commute - Click Here to compare the cost of your commute (including gas and parking) with that of public transportation
Members of Go Rail Go attended the Livable Communities Forum sponsored by AARP Hawaii and One Voice for Livable Islands, in cooperation with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition, and featured walking advocate Mark Fenton: Monday, August 6th Participants not only learned about the need for more livable communities; but also new opportunities for involvement in creating livable communities here in Hawaii - including the promotion of pedestrian safety and supporting the proposed rail system. Members of Go Rail Go spoke to particpants about what GRG does, the benefits of rail, how rail contributes to livable communities and our upcoming events.
GoRailGo Team Attends Rail Rally: On Friday, August 1st supporters of the rail transit movement came out for a Rail Rally and Sign-Waving at the State Capital. At the Rally, a new coalition of Hawaii's young people who support Rail came together and introduced We Will Ride (www.wewillridehawaii.com).
July 5, 2008
“If you are like me, I had signed the Anti-Rail Petition to stop rail without much thought. I later discovered that the Stop Rail people are proposing Hot Lanes/Toll roads. On the mainland, they are called “Lexus Lanes” because it costs $8-12 per trip and only the rich can afford to drive on them.
I also learned that the head of The Bus in Honolulu has said adding more buses on Hot Lanes during rush hour won’t work because the roads are already at capacity. When I learned these and other facts, I changed my mind.
To take my name off the Anti-Rail petition, I signed the letter on this website and gave it to GoRailGo. It became obvious to me that Rail is the only workable solution. If you were misinformed like me, I urge you to click the Un-sign the Anti-Rail Petition button, download the letter, fill it out and mail it to GoRailGo.
Do it for your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren."
Sincerely,
Aunty Jennie Chun
- please include your name, contact information, days/times available and what you are interested in doing (sign-waving, phone calls, canvassing, and more!)- please include your name, contact information, days/times available and what you are interested in doing (sign-waving, phone calls, canvassing, and more!)Go Rail Go is a tradename for Committee for Balanced Transportation, a tax-exempt 501(c)(4) organization. Go Rail Go is organized as a citizens group to educate the public about rail and mass transit. If you would like to join our efforts, please contact us at GoRailGo@gmail.com.
Media Inquiries: Please direct all media related inquires to Justin Fanslau using our contact form.
