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Dear Trail Advocate,
Thanks to your strong voices, trail funding will continue!
As we alerted you this past Tuesday, U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (Okla.) pushed to eliminate dedicated funding for the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program in the proposed six-month extension of our federal transportation bill (“SAFETEA-LU”). TE is the nation's largest funding source for trails, walking and bicycling.
After tens of thousands of supporters like you from around the country encouraged their senators to stand firm in the face of this misguided threat, Sen. Coburn withdrew his amendment! Thanks to our partners who helped spread the word.
Late yesterday, by a vote of 92 to 6, the Senate voted to pass a clean extension of our nation's transportation bill... including continued dedicated funding for trails, walking and bicycling!
We are certainly not out of the woods, as this extension will expire at the end of March 2012. We may face similar attacks then, if not before. But for now, we can take a deep breath and celebrate the progress that communities around the country will continue to make toward healthier, safer, more affordable transportation choices.
Thank you for your support,
Kevin Mills
Vice President of Program
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy 
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