Transportation and JOBS NOW campaign
From the Gamaliel Foundation and the Transportation Equity Network (TEN)
Gamaliel affiliates are working to shape transportation policy on the local, state and federal levels. In the US, $60 billion dollars a year are invested in our transportation system. How these dollars are spent (or not spent) on transit, who has access to the construction jobs generated and who participates in the planning process is a Metropolitan Equity question. Transportation is central to every resident's life, but currently not all residents see benefit from this massive public investment.
The Transportation Equity Network (TEN) is a central organizing platform for all Gamaliel affiliates. At least 14 affiliates and 11 states currently have transportation-focused campaigns such as public transit funding, environmental justice, public participation or workforce development (JOBS NOW). Many of our 300 allies who participate in TEN have similar campaigns, including our major partner, Smart Growth America. TEN joined together in December of 2006 and committed to both educate each other on effective campaign strategies and also to declare a national platform for policy changes in the federal transportation appropriations bill. Hearings on this bill start in 2007, reauthorization of this bill is due by the end of 2008. Multiple members of TEN and Gamaliel are committed to working on this bill in 2007.
We welcome other faith organizations in our effort to win metropolitan equity, living wage construction jobs, better civil rights protection, more public transportation money and more public involvement in the new federal transportation appropriations bill. TEN and Gamaliel have won significant improvements in several transportation bills which are already directing highway construction jobs to minorities, women and low income people, as well as increasing public involvement in transit plans. We look to increase those gains.
Gamaliel and TEN will be gathering in Washington, DC with Smart Growth America to brief congress about transportation needs in our home communities on Wed. March 14 and Thurs. March 15th. All are welcome to join our events, but reservations are appreciated.
For more information, to join us in DC or to participate in monthly campaign calls: Dr. Ron Trimmer, National Issues Chair for Gamaliel - 618-604-6216, trimmer@charter.net or Laura Barrett, National Policy Director, 314-443-5915 laurabarrett@gamaliel.org
Work Force Development
(by permission only)
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