Tell Sen. Manchin to Co-sponsor Padilla/Cornyn Amendment 2315 to Fund Scenic Byways

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ACT NOW: Tell Sen. Manchin to Co-sponsor Padilla/Cornyn/Van Hollen Amendment 2315 to Fund Scenic Byways in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is moving forward in the Senate RIGHT NOW without any dedicated funding for scenic byways.

With your help, we can change that.

Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) filed an amendment to provide dedicated funding over five years for our nation's most scenic and iconic roadways in this legislation. The amendment authorizes first-year funding of $55 million and scales up over the life of the bill. Sen. Manchin will help decide the fate of this legislation.

Fill out this form to tell Sen. Manchin to co-sponsor Padilla/Cornyn/Van Hollen Amendment 2315.

The Senate is expected to meet THIS WEEK to determine the final draft of its version of the surface transportation reauthorization. The time to act to secure funding for our scenic byways is now.

The Legislation Needs to Provide Dedicated Funding for Scenic Byways
Currently, the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act includes NO funding for the National Scenic Byways Program. Funding is needed to support projects that create new jobs and jump-start tourism in communities across the country-- particularly here in West Virginia.

If the legislation passes without funding for byways, another five years may pass without federal support for this critical program.

If you believe in the importance of promoting byways, it is critical that you add your name and email address to this form and it will be delivered to your Senator's transportation staff.

You can also personalize your letter for even more impact.

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WV transportation staff

Subject: Co-sponsor Padilla/Cornyn/Van Hollen Amendment 2315 to fund byways

Message:

I appreciate the work of the Senate as it considers the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and urge you to co-sponsor Padilla/Cornyn/Van Hollen Amendment 2315. The amendment would revitalize and fund the National Scenic Byways Program by bringing back dedicated funding, for 5 years, to the Byways program. Specifically, the Amendment authorizes first-year funding of $55 million and scales up over the life of the bill. The Byways program is important to West Virginia—there are 19 scenic byways across the state which would be eligible for these funds. The National Scenic Byways Program is active in 52 states and territories (including Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico). Byways serve as economic development investments and job creators by tying urban, rural, and suburban communities together for communities that need it the most. Scenic byways are stewarded by local stakeholder groups who volunteer countless hours in support of their byways, and byway grants are often combined with local public and private investment to improve the byway experience, increasing the draw to visitors and creating a large return on investment. As you know, tourism is important to the West Virginia economy In 2018, the tourism and travel industry in West Virginia generated $4.6 billion in spending, growing at a year-over-year rate of 6.5%; the industry contributed $534.5 million in local and state taxes saving the average household in West Virginia $720 annually. By providing dedicated funding, Congress can assure that these byways quickly contribute to economic development and job creation in urban, rural, and suburban communities, especially at a time when our nation needs it the most. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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