Organizing Riders, Saving America’s Economy & Democracy Greg LeRoy Executive Director, Good Jobs First Center for Transportation Excellence Webinar ~ 4/10/12 Webinar ~ 4/10/12

Good Jobs First: A Resource for Transit and Smart Growth Advocates Independent, non-partisan, non-profit founded in 1998, based in DC Independent, non-partisan, non-profit founded in 1998, based in DC Promoting accountable economic development and “smart growth for working families” Promoting accountable economic development and “smart growth for working families”

It’s the Jobs, Stupid! Corporate tax breaks for “economic development” are pro-sprawl, anti-transit Corporate tax breaks for “economic development” are pro-sprawl, anti-transit Sprawl is anti-union (not just anti-transit, anti-UFCW) Sprawl is anti-union (not just anti-transit, anti-UFCW)

1,500 State Job-Subsidy Programs – yet None Links Job Creation with Workplace Access via Transit

Region-Specific Case Studies Twin Cities (twice) Twin Cities (twice) Michigan (seven metros) Michigan (seven metros) Chicago Chicago Cleveland + Cincinnati Cleveland + Cincinnati Buffalo Buffalo [now seeking next region] [now seeking next region]

Twin Cities Metro Area: Subsidized Business Relocations (Mostly TIF),

Twin Cities Metro: Subsidized Business Relocations’ Impact on Job Access via Transit

New Flash! New ATU President Larry Hanley, dynamic reform leader, is hell-bent on transit rider organizing

2010 & 2011 Community- Labor “Boot Camps”

Rider-Organizing Manual

Eight case studies, exemplary organizing Eight case studies, exemplary organizing Six common elements of success Six common elements of success Organizing checklists with links (community, labor, environmental/EJ, business, smart growth) Organizing checklists with links (community, labor, environmental/EJ, business, smart growth) National directory of all known rider groups National directory of all known rider groups

Boot Camp Takeaway #1: Too Few Established Rider Groups Some accomplished groups (e.g., NYC, LA, Twin Cities, Bay Area, Washington state) or rising (e.g. Boston) Some accomplished groups (e.g., NYC, LA, Twin Cities, Bay Area, Washington state) or rising (e.g. Boston) Two networks: TEN and TRPT Two networks: TEN and TRPT Crisis coalition-episodes in various metros Crisis coalition-episodes in various metros But lack of capacity in many systems (e.g., DC, Atlanta, Philly, Denver, Southeastern & Southwestern states) But lack of capacity in many systems (e.g., DC, Atlanta, Philly, Denver, Southeastern & Southwestern states)

Takeaway #2: High Interest from Rainbow of Groups Community/faith-based, community-labor, bicyclist, environmental/EJ, Citizen Action, disability, consumer, student Community/faith-based, community-labor, bicyclist, environmental/EJ, Citizen Action, disability, consumer, student Keen interest in working with ATU locals Keen interest in working with ATU locals More rider groups founded recently (due to more funding crises) More rider groups founded recently (due to more funding crises)

Takeaway #3: National Resource Gaps CFTE = ballot initiative expertise CFTE = ballot initiative expertise TEN = local organizing, federal advocacy TEN = local organizing, federal advocacy TRPT = EJ capacity building TRPT = EJ capacity building But lots of needs: more boot camps, new organizing in many systems, more money, more connections to existing resources But lots of needs: more boot camps, new organizing in many systems, more money, more connections to existing resources Need for pro-active & strategic targeting Need for pro-active & strategic targeting

Announcing Americans for Transit Founders: ATU and Good Jobs First Mission: Create, strengthen and unite transit rider-organizing campaigns

Structure Independent non-profit 501 (C) (3) Independent non-profit 501 (C) (3) Seed-funded by ATU w/ $100K; Search for ED now underway Seed-funded by ATU w/ $100K; Search for ED now underway ATU, Good Jobs First as top board officers ATU, Good Jobs First as top board officers Other founding board members: Dr. Beverly Scott and Bill Lynch Other founding board members: Dr. Beverly Scott and Bill Lynch Good Jobs First = fiscal agent & landlord Good Jobs First = fiscal agent & landlord Companion 501 (C) (4) able to lobby Companion 501 (C) (4) able to lobby

Potential Targeting (in addition to above-stated gaps) Systems with budget storms on horizon Systems with budget storms on horizon Systems with budget opportunities to grow Systems with budget opportunities to grow Key states and Congressional Districts Key states and Congressional Districts States fighting voter suppression States fighting voter suppression

Voter Suppression Red = law introduced. ID = Photo ID enacted. Star = proof of citizenship enacted. Pen in hand = voter registration restricted. Envelope = early/absentee voting restricted. Gavel = executive order makes it harder to restore voting rights.

Time for Our Own “Transit-Industrial Complex” Transit Workers & Unions (& Agencies) Transit Workers & Unions (& Agencies) Transit Riders Transit Riders Transit Vehicle Manufacturers & Unions Transit Vehicle Manufacturers & Unions Pro-Transit Employers Pro-Transit Employers

Contact Us! Greg LeRoy Executive Director Good Jobs First x 211