Governor Moore, like Larry Hogan before him, is trying to hide the truth about the toll lanes. We know the Moore administration is pushing Hogan’s plan. The proof is in MDOT’s recent 66-page federal grant application for taxpayer funds for the project. The application frequently refers to tolls.
But Moore’s high-profile public outreach on the project never mentions tolls. Not in the original press release, not on MDOT’s project webpage, not in the announcement of open houses (see Action Alert below).
This matters.
The public has a federally mandated right to be truthfully informed about a multi-billion-dollar behemoth that will negatively impact our state for generations.
The public elected this Democratic governor on his promises of transparency, substantive stakeholder engagement, true fiscal and environmental stewardship, and attention to equity and the public’s real transportation needs.
What the public has gotten instead – what Moore apparently feels he can get away with – is his Republican predecessor’s flawed plan, disguised with marketing that confuses and misleads. Sort-of promises of something for everyone. Sort-of promises of (unfunded) public transit to be delivered someday, somehow. Nothing about the toll lanes.
This is not what Marylanders need; this is not what we voted for. We have to tell our governor to level with the public and reset/refocus on transportation in the public interest.
From Maryland Matters, 10/23/23
IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT
Please do everything you can to attend one of MDOT's project-related open houses! The Moore administration must see and hear the extensive opposition to this project. Tell MDOT in person that you did not want Hogan’s plan and you don’t want Moore’s copy of it.
Here are the open house details (also see “Not-So-Open Open Houses” below):
Monday, November 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, 4301 East-West Highway, Bethesda.
Wednesday, November 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., DoubleTree Hotel, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg.
Thursday, November 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Frederick High School, 650 Carroll Parkway, Frederick.
Saturday, December 2, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thomas S. Wootton High School, 2100 Wootton Parkway, Rockville.
We urge you to come and make your voice heard. Spread the word. Bring friends and neighbors with you. See DontWiden270.org’s recent newsletters and this Maryland Matters analysis for talking points, effective alternatives to toll lanes, and much more.
Not-So-Open Open Houses
MDOT says its purpose in holding open houses is to “…engage the public on the American Legion Bridge and 270 Corridor Program and gather community feedback as the program advances.” But, per MDOT, “There will not be a formal presentation.” Which means there will not be a public Q&A session. Our broad coalition of advocacy groups is currently asking MDOT to include presentations and Q&As at each event.
MDOT’s plan is to have attendees go to “stations” in a school cafeteria or similar space to look at information and talk to whoever is working the table. Such stations will be frustratingly familiar to anyone at Hogan’s 2018 and 2019 toll lane workshops. But Hogan’s events did begin with presentations and Q&As so attendees had at least some sense of what was coming.
Please put an open house on your calendar today. Thank you!