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Put Transit on equal footing with driving – contact your Congressman and Senator today!

capitol hillHouse and Senate champions have recently introduced legislation that would make transit benefit parity permanent. ACT needs your help to secure additional co-sponsors.

In the House, Congressman Michael Grimm (R-NY) was joined by Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Congressman Peter King (R-NY), and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) in introducing HR 2288, the Commuter Parity Act. This legislation would create permanent parity between the parking and transit/vanpool portions of the transit benefit in a manner that is intended to be revenue neutral. This is achieved by setting the monthly caps for both at $220/month.

The Senate bill, S. 1116, championed by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) would create parity at the current level ($245/month).

Securing the support of additional members of Congress is vital and cannot be done without your help. Below are two boilerplate letters, one for the House legislation and one for the Senate legislation, we ask that you take time to fill out the letters and send them to you Congressional leaders.

For House Legislation:

Dear Congressman (enter name)

I write to request your support for HR 2288, the Commuter Parity ACT of 2013, and ask that you co-sponsor this important legislation. The Commuter Parity act was introduced by Congressmen Grimm (R-NY), McGovern (D-MA), King (R-NY) and Blumenauer (D-OR), it  would create permanent parity between the parking and transit portions of the Section 132(f) transportation fringe benefit by establishing a monthly cap of $220 for both parking and transit. Currently, parity between the transit and parking sections exists only on a temporary basis. If Congress fails to act by the end of 2013, the monthly cap on the transit benefit will be half that of the parking benefit.  HR 2288 would establish permanent parity and is designed to avoid increasing the Federal debt.

Beginning January 1st, 2014, transit riders who use the transit benefit will see their monthly paycheck’s get smaller because the monthly cap on the transit benefit will be reduced from $245/month down to $125/month. Meanwhile, people who drive to work and park will see their monthly benefit increase from $245/month to $250/month. In effect, Congress’ failure to act is the equivalent of pursuing a policy which rewards drivers and punishes transit riders.

Please support HR2288 today.

For Senate Legislation:

Dear Senator XXX: 

I write to request your support for S 1116, the Commuter Parity ACT of 2013, and ask that you co-sponsor this important legislation. Senator Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Commuter Parity ACT, it would create permanent parity between the parking and transit portions of the Section 132(f) transportation fringe benefit by establishing a monthly cap of $245 for both parking and transit. Currently, parity between the transit and parking sections exists only on a temporary basis. If Congress fails to act by the end of 2013, the monthly cap on the transit benefit will be half that of the parking benefit. 

Beginning January 1st, 2014, transit riders who use the transit benefit will see their monthly paycheck’s get smaller because the monthly cap on the transit benefit will be reduced from $245/month down to $125/month. Meanwhile, people who drive to work and park will see their monthly benefit increase from $245/month to $250/month. In effect, Congress’ failure to act is the equivalent of pursuing a policy which rewards drivers and punishes transit riders.

I urge you to support this legislation today.


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