Now that the Lawsuit is Filed . . .

 . . your help is urgently needed! Please write to Governor O'Malley http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/

Ask him to reconsider transportation priorities in Maryland.

Print the Lemon Ad in The Washington Post

Below is a list of 'talking points' that you may wish to incorporate in your letter.

A sample letter, also below, can be used if you're short on time. But as you may know, a letter in your words carries much more weight.

TALKING POINTS                 

• The state's own study shows that the ICC does not relieve congestion on I-270, I-95 or the Beltway. And more than half of local roads studied are either worse or show no relief with the ICC.

• The $7 round-trip toll is too expensive! And for at least 3 years, tolls from other facilities around the state, such as the Bay Bridge, are going entirely to subsidize the ICC.

• We need an independent fiscal analysis of the ICC that includes increases in construction materials, financing costs, and toll subsidies and what it means to other state projects vying for funds.

• ICC drains money from needed transit projects and road improvements, and even from schools, housing and healthcare programs.

• Please halt the taking of land in the right of way and signing of contracts until the legal issues are addressed.

The new governor needs to hear from as many Marylanders as possible. Please pass this message along to your lists, friends, and relatives throughout the state.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Governor O'Malley, As you know, major environmental groups have filed legal challenges in Federal Court regarding the Ehrlich Administration’s failure to address alternatives and sufficiently study --among other things--air quality impacts. You have spoken eloquently about both global warming and supporting working families in Maryland. Yet, your support for the ICC flies in the face of addressing the urgent threat of climate change. The state’s own study finds the ICC would  increase vehicle miles traveled, increase traffic on the Beltway, I-95, I-270 and, with a daily toll of at least $7 round trip, or $1,700 per year, would be unaffordable for many working families. The health risks for the thousands of families living within 500 yards of the right of way are well documented by a recently released 10 year study reported in the Jan. 26, 2007 edition of The Lancet. Significant price increases in construction materials have gone into effect since the funding for the project was approved. The ICC financing plan also calls for the road to be subsidized by tolls from the Bay Bridge, Fort McHenry Tunnel, and other state toll facilities, which raises real concerns about the level of maintenance on these vital existing transportation links. The costs and fiscal impact of the ICC have not been scrutinized in terms of statewide transportation needs. I urge you to put transit projects and key local road improvements on the top of your transportation priority list. A Purple Line and Corridor Cities Transit Way should not be funded by raising the gas tax or fares on Metro; they should be funded with money currently allocated for the ICC. I urge you not to move forward with this ill-conceived project until you and your team have conducted an open and public reassessment.  We urge you to halt the taking of land, signing of contracts and other associated activities until the legal issues have been fully addressed. Thank you,