TALC Newsletter - Coalition Update

Coalition Update: November 2003

COALITION UPDATE is now a monthly email newsletter. (formerly a quarterly print publication - see Archives below). It contains articles about TALC's program initiatives, announcements and calendar items, and is a great source of information about recent TALC activities and victories.

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IN THIS ISSUE
1. TALC puts forward proposal for MTC's Transportation 2030 plan

2. TALC Gears Up to Help Win Bridge Toll Vote for Transit

3. New TALC Program Launched - TEACH in Contra Costa

4. Contra Costa Measure C Plans Show Stark Differences

5. Calendar

6. Members In Action - Urban Ecology wins 2003 Beautification Award
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1. TALC puts forward proposal for MTC's Transportation 2030 plan
MTC is now considering how to spend $9 billion that is part of their Transportation 2030 plan. TALC Member Groups worked together to create a plan that focuses on maintaining public transit, promoting smart growth and pedestrian safety, and providing new flexible services that link low-income communities with jobs. We now need YOU to support the TALC platform! There will be key MTC meetings on Dec. 12 and Dec. 17.

For more info on the MTC meetings go to: http://www.mtc.ca.gov/whats_happening/whindex.htm
To learn more about TALC's set asides proposal, go to: http://www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_rtp/rtp_setasides.html
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2. TALC Gears Up to Help Win Bridge Toll Vote for Transit
On Friday October 10th, Governor Gray Davis signed into law SB 916, leaving the one dollar bridge toll increase for transit up to Bay Area voters. Authored by Senator Don Perata, this measure would fund nearly $2 billion in transportation projects including Safe Routes to Transit, night BART service across the Bay, the CalTrain extension to downtown San Francisco, a new Transbay Terminal, BART seismic work, a regional express bus program, Nextbus, Translink, and many other regional transit priorities. To succeed in March, the bridge toll increase will require a 50 percent majority at the polls. TALC is gearing up to help win the vote for transit!

For more information, go to: http://www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_brtoll/btoll_home.html
To find out how to get involved in the bridge toll campaign, contact Amber Crabbe at TALC: 510.740.3105.
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3. TALC Launches New Program - TEACH in Contra Costa
TALC is launching a ground-breaking three-year program focusing on Contra Costa County that aims to break down transportation barriers to accessing health care, and to improve the health of low-income residents. Following up on our Roadblocks to Health report, this comprehensive program, entitled TEACH (Transportation Equity and Community Health), will serve as a model program for strengthening the link between health care and transportation, two critical basic services. TEACH in Contra Costa is made possible by generous funding from the California Endowment.

To learn more and find out how you can get involved, go to: http://www.transcoalition.org/c/teach/teach_ccc.htm
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4. Contra Costa Measure C Plans Show Stark Differences
The 3 alternative plans being studied by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority for Measure C highlighted stark differences in transportation and growth plans for the county's sales tax. Two plans represent a business-as-usual approach that would fuel more sprawl and an increasing dependence on driving. TALC and other groups are organizing to support the "Program Focus" alternative, that is similar to our Transportation for a Livable Contra Costa platform endorsed by 40 community groups, and that represents a balanced transportation plan that would address the county’s changing needs.

Learn about the three plans, and what you can do at: http://www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_msrc/msrc.html

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5. Calendar

November 15 - SYMPOSIUM - Clearing the Air: Transportation & Growth's Effect on Climate Change
8:30am - 4:30pm, Sonoma State Univ. Commons, - Workshop IV
Features Stuart Cohen, TALC E.D. Walk, bike or run to this interactive symposium and learn about public transit, personal transportation, smart growth and local policy initiatives.
Learn more at: http://www.sonoma.edu/projects/climatechange/pages/schedule.htm

November 22 - PUBLIC FORUM: RTP
Vallejo Naval/Hist. Museum, 734 Marin St., 9:30am-1:30pm
League of Women Voters & MTC invite you to weigh in on the Regional Transportation Plan 2030 planning process. RSVP required. Lunch provided. Limited seating.
Learn more at: http://www.transcoalition.org/calendar.html#event

November 22 - BIG BIKE BASH: Sixth Annual Marin County Bicycle Coalition party
6 10 PM, Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley
Free to MCBC Members or Join at the Door for $20. Guest speakers include: Marin Supervisor Susan Adams and bicycle icon Joe Breeze. The event will include a free food buffet and a no-host bar as well as a silent auction, bargain marketplace, and a raffle.
Learn more at: http://www.marinbike.org/Events/Bash2003.htm

December 10 - TALC REGIONAL MEETING, 5:30-7:30pm, Sierra Club, 85 2nd St., SF,
Agenda not yet available * No Regional Meeting in November
Learn more at: http://www.transcoalition.org/calendar.html

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6. Members In Action - Urban Ecology wins 2003 Beautification Award

Urban Ecology, in partnership with BART, Mission Housing Development Corporation, San Francisco Transportation Authority, and Metropolitan Transportation Commission, won San Francisco Beautiful's 2003 Beautification Award for the 16th Street BART Plaza Renovation Project. As noted by the SFB executive director, "this project exemplifies the best of what public-private partnerships can produce and has created a vibrant, colorful community space that enhances this corner of the Mission District."

* All TALC Member and Affiliate groups are eligible for inclusion in the 'Members in Action' section - simply email your article subject to robert@transcoalition.org by the last week of each month. If yours is selected, you will be asked to send a one-paragraph summary - and web page link, if available.

Update: 12/04/2003