TALC Helps Save Transit From the Governor's Ax

Governor Schwarzenegger has agreed to dramatically scale back damaging cuts that he had proposed to AC Transit, BART and the Marin County Transit District. The Governor's 2004-2005 budget would have cut funding for AC Transit by $20 million and BART by $9 million. Instead, the new agreement calls for the three agencies to contribute 3% of their property tax revenue to the state over the next two years, instead of the 40% originally proposed. This is a huge victory. It was won by pressure from our June 3 rally, co-hosted by the Transportation Justice Working Group, and by phone calls, letters and lobbying from our members, supporters and allies. Thank you for helping to save local transit systems from the Governor's budget ax.

.................................................................................................
 

Senators Perata and Torlakson to the Rescue on AB 2628
TALC has been leading an effort to stop or amend AB 2628 (Pavley). This bill allowing single drivers into HOV lanes is the wrong mechanism for increasing use of hybrids. It could negatively affect our efforts to increase transit and carpooling across the Bay Area, especially since the mechanism to protect HOV lanes from getting congested was optional. Fortunately, Senator Don Perata, the Majority Leader, came to the rescue by demanding that the language be changed, so that Caltrans is now required to remove congested lanes from the program. Another weakness of the bill is that it would allow hybrids to go free across the bridges during carpool hours. Senator Torlakson is taking a strong stand to protect bridge toll revenues. Support him by contacting Senator Pavley at (916) 319-2041 or by faxing (916) 319-2141.
 

Learn more about the issue at: www.transcoalition.org/c/leg/AB_2628.html

.................................................................................................
 

Contra Costa's Measure C Finalized
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority adopted a final Measure C package and started distributing the package to cities for approval. CCTA says that there will be no additional changes. However, some of the package's ramifications are still unclear. For example, the package requires cities and the county to jointly develop an Urban Limit Line, but the ULL's location and related policies won't be resolved until later this year. As a result, some TALC members and allies are holding off on taking a position until these and other issues are resolved.

See TALC staff's analysis of the final package on our website and:

• Help TALC decide whether to support, oppose, or stay neutral on Measure C

• Show up when your City Council considers Measure C

• Write a letter to the editor

For more details, see www.transcoalition.org/c/sus_msrc/msrc.html

.................................................................................................
 

TALC Begins Exciting Project Promoting East Bay BRT
Building on our past Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) work, TALC recently received a two-year grant from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund to improve public transit service and increase the participation of Lower San Antonio, Fruitvale, and East Oakland residents and community groups in transportation decisions. With this grant, TALC will promote AC Transit’s plans to bring BRT to the International/East 14th/Telegraph corridor in Oakland, emphasizing how this project will increase access to jobs, education and services for low-income communities, and building the capacities of community organizers and residents to participate in decision-making. The project is just getting underway, but please contact Amber Crabbe at 510-740-3105 if you want to know more!

.................................................................................................
 

Volunteer Opportunities
We have a number of volunteer needs and would greatly appreciate your help. We are currently looking for webpage builders and a campaign leader for our Land Use Initiative. We also have an ongoing need for office assistance, including updating our library catalog, help with our contacts database, and assistance with filing. Please contact Halima O'Neil at halima@transcoalition.org or 510-740-3103 if you are interested -- or pass this on to a friend. For more information on these opportunities visit: www.transcoalition.org/about/about_intern_vol.html

.................................................................................................
 

Can You Donate a Computer to TALC?
TALC needs two computers and will happily accept your donated machine(s), giving you the benefits of a tax deduction. We are looking for PCs with processors that are at least 500 MHz in speed. If you are considering a donation, please contact Seth Schneider <seth@transcoalition.org>, or at 510-740-3109. Thank you!

.................................................................................................
 

Members In Action - Urban Ecology: Job Opening for Community Planning Director
Urban Ecology <www.urbanecology.org>, a San Francisco Bay Area non-profit, believes that vibrant neighborhoods are the building blocks of healthy cities and sustainable regions. They offer pro-bono land use planning and policy advocacy to help low-income urban neighborhoods become thriving communities. Urban Ecology achieves its mission by using architecture and design, participatory land use planning, research, policy development and advocacy.

Urban Ecology seeks a Community Planning Director to lead neighborhood planning projects in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly in Oakland. The job is varied and challenging. You will work in a team environment to support Urban Ecology’s mission of promoting vibrant neighborhoods. One of the Planning Director’s main projects promotes “active living” in a low-income, diverse community in East Oakland by improving local parks and playgrounds. Additionally, the Planning Director will assist with, and in many cases lead, other planning and advocacy projects, such as promoting Bus Rapid Transit in the East Bay, supporting revitalization efforts in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley and promoting access to the waterfront in Oakland.
 

View the complete job description online at:
www.urbanecology.org/jobs/June%202004%20Comm%20Plng%20Dir%20Announcement.pdf

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