Fighting for Federal Transportation Dollars with Mike McGinn

How will the United States spend $580 billion in federal funds for transportation over the next five years? That's the question facing Congress right now, as it's time once again for the transportation reauthorization bill. Our spending priorities have always been wildly lopsided in favor of highways, but under the Trump Administration, the attacks on projects that prioritize transit, biking, and walking are more virulent than ever—and as a result, this bill (which they're calling the BUILD America 250 Act) could be worse than ever for advocates of active transportation. We talked with Mike McGinn, executive director of America Walks and former mayor of Seattle, about the corporate capture of politicians on both sides of the aisle, how better transportation spending can be part of defending democracy, and what actions you can take to help America chart a better course for the future this time around.

Support The War on Cars on Patreon.

Get tickets to our live show at Hunter College on Friday, November 6th featuring special guest Janette Sadik-Khan.

Order our book, Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile, out now from Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

SHOW NOTES:

Find America Walks action alerts here.

Transportation for America's proposals for a better reauthorization bill are here.

Find the official summary of the BUILD America 250 Act here.

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Save 15% on the best rain gear for walking and cycling from Cleverhood. Listen to this episode and visit cleverhood.com/warcars for your discount.

Learn more how a Bunch Bike can help you go far-free and change the way you get around. Buy a bike and get a free set of party lights. Go to bunchbike.com/waroncars for more information.

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