Organizing Riders, Saving America’s Economy & Democracy

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

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

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

4. 1,500 State Job-Subsidy Programs – yet None Links Job Creation with Workplace Access via Transit

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

6. Twin Cities Metro Area: Subsidized Business Relocations (Mostly TIF), 1999-2003

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

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

9. 2010 & 2011 Community-Labor “Boot Camps”

10. Rider-Organizing Manual

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

12. 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) • Two networks: TEN and TRPT • Crisis coalition-episodes in various metros • But lack of capacity in many systems (e.g., DC, Atlanta, Philly, Denver, Southeastern & Southwestern states)

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

14. Takeaway #3: National Resource Gaps • CFTE = ballot initiative expertise • TEN = local organizing, federal advocacy • TRPT = EJ capacity building • 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

15. AnnouncingAmericans for Transit Founders: ATU and Good Jobs First Mission: Create, strengthen and unite transit rider-organizing campaigns

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

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

18. 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.

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

20. Contact Us! Greg LeRoy Executive Director Good Jobs First goodjobs@goodjobsfirst.org www.goodjobsfirst.org 202-232-1616 x 211