MAJORITY OF STATE SENATORS SEND PRO-RAIL LETTER TO GOVERNOR

HONOLULU -March 11, 2010- A majority of State Senators signed a letter that was delivered to Governor Linda Lingle today urging her to review and accept the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project in a timely manner once the document is released by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The letter was spearheaded by Senator Mike Gabbard (District 19 – West Oahu) and stated, "Considering the many years of study and public input, it doesn't make sense to delay this project from moving forward. Our opinion is seconded by the FTA and the U.S. Department of Transportation, neither of which sees anything at this point to preclude us from making rail transit a reality. The longer we delay Oahu's economic recovery, the longer we leave our working families unemployed and struggling during the prolonged recession."

The letter was signed by the following 13 Senators: Mike Gabbard, Will Espero, Clarence Nishihara, Michelle Kidani, Suzanne Chun Oakland, Gary Hooser, Brickwood Galuteria, Roz Baker, David Ige, Jill Tokuda, Bobby Bunda, Norman Sakamoto, and Shan Tsutsui.
A similar letter signed by 39 members of the state House of Representatives was presented to Governor Lingle on February 10, 2010.

For more information, please contact Senator Gabbard's Office at 586-6830.