Join us in fighting for an Equitable Bay Area for Everyone

May 11, 2012:  Eliezer Mendoza speaking to MTC and ABAG about how important it is for students like him to have access to reliable and affordable public transportation. 

 
New Voices Are Rising are part of 6 Wins for Social Equity Network.  We are more than 30 social justice, faith, public health and environmental organizations that came together in 2010 to ensure that the Bay Area's transit, housing, jobs, and sustainability policies break the pattern of segregation, sprawl, and pollution that have plagued our communities for generations.  We have been working hard to engage students on the issues in this plan so that youth can have a voice in, and help shape the outcome of this process.  

We have our highest priority meeting to turn out for coming this Thursday at 7:00pm.  The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)  and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) will be voting on a preferred scenario for the $277 Billion Regional Transportation plan that is part of the Sustainable Communities Strategy process.   

All Bay Area residents are invited and encouraged to attend Thursday's meeting and/or email their representatives!

At last week's meeting, it was clear that a big push is still needed to ensure that affordable housing (to avoid displacement/gentrification), public transportation funding and restoration of cuts are the issues we need to build a strong and united voice around.   As it stands now, there is increasing likelihood that low income folks will be pushed out of their communities and homes with the implementation of this plan, with projections of having to spend more than 75% of their budget on housing and transportation costs.  This is unacceptable, and we have to let them know that.  There are ways that we can create a robust economy and sustainable communities at the same time, without displacing our folks. 

Here is brief re-cap of last week's meeting: http://urbanhabitat.org/tj/05-11-12

See how the 6 Wins network graded ABAG and MTC so far: http://www.publicadvocates.org/sites/default/files/library/6_wins_report_card_online.pdf

 We are pushing for them to adopt the "Equity Scenario" when they vote this Thursday evening. 

What we are fighting for:

• Re-fund transit and restore lost bus service
• Stop gentrification and displacement of low-income families from their homes by rewarding cities that fund affordable housing
• Require cities with good jobs and transit to build new affordable housing for the people who work there
• Protect communities from car and diesel truck pollution, especially in areas that bear the greatest toxic burden

We need folks there in person, and also to be emailing their representative on these commissions in the meantime. Here is a link for you to click on your region and email those folks to tell them how you feel about these issues.    http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6267/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=9294The


More information on what this process and what we are fighting for: http://publicadvocates.org/sites/default/files/library/6_wins_network_brochure.pdf

Please consider joining us for this very important decision making meeting on Thursday.  If you can make it, please let me know.  And please, spread the word to anyone you know who might be affected by these issues and would be willing to come as well.

MTC/ABAG meeting begins - 7:00pm
Location: Oakland Marriott City Center - Junior Ballroom, 1001 Broadway, Oakland 

Myesha 510-658-0702
mwilliams@rosefdn.org