A group of SmartRoutes supporters has just returned from Washington, D.C. where they educated our congressional delegation and their staff on SmartRoutes. The group included Spokane City Councilman Richard Rush, Barb Chamberlain from WSU Spokane, and Amy Johnson from Greater Spokane Incorporated.

Members of the group met with Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers. They also met separately with staff members from each office. All were reportedly very receptive and welcoming of the SmartRoutes proposal. Councilman Rush reports that Spokane’s case statement for SmartRoutes was a hit – easily one of the best presented. He says that where case statements from other communities left questions, ours provided answers and supporting data.

So here’s what comes next; the SmartRoutes group would also like them to experience what money provided to SmartRoutes would do on the ground. They will attempt to schedule a walk or ride with each when they are in Spokane on break this spring.

For more information on SmartRoutes, here’s a link to the website.