Newsletters

The Battle for Transit

The legislative battle over public transit continues and the time to act is NOW!
 
Last week, partisan politics threatened to end public transit as we know it. A frightening step was made in the attempt to defund, privatize, and dismantle public transit systems across the country.
 
The coming days will define the future of transit in this country - don't miss this opportunity to join the debate on transportation, equity, and economic justice.

Click here to send a message to Congress.

Supporting Our Efforts

Faith leaders, organized together through Gamaliel and the Transportation Equity Network, have not missed a beat in this battle over public transportation. Last week, dozens of faith leaders stormed the halls of Congress to tell our legislators that our faith values demand economic justice and transportation equity.

Click here to read more about our Lightning Team in our most recent Capitol Hill Update.
 
The battle for transit is ongoing. We need your support to have an ongoing presence on the Hill, as our legislators debate the future of transit and our economy. Make a donation today to support and expand our Lightning Team!

-$100 will pay for travel for one grassroots leader to Washington, D.C.
-$200 will cover all expenses for one grassroots leader to Washington, D.C.
-$500 will ensure that the voices of grassroots leaders are heard during a critical debate.
-$1,000 will sponsor a Lightning Team of leaders from your community to travel to Washington, D.C.

Click here to contribute to TEN.

TEN's 2012 Transit = Jobs Conference

If you've been reading the above piece and wishing you had been part of the Lightning Team - here's your chance: The TEN Conference is coming up on March 5th - 6th in Washington, DC at the Capitol Skyline Hotel.

The deadline for registration has been extended to this Friday, February 10th, 3:00 p.m. Central.

Register today for TEN's 2012 Transit = Jobs Conference.

As our nation is struggling to deal with the Great Recession, recovery is being held captive by corporate influence and political maneuvering.  It’s time to come together to STOP THE BUDGET ATTACKS!

Join the Transportation Equity Network, the Gamaliel Foundation, and our affiliates and allies for a

DIRECT ACTION

To Preserve Public Transit and Public Infrastructure! 

Tuesday, September 13

Meet at 8:00AM Sharp at the Capitol Skyline Hotel

10 I Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

(BE ON TIME because we will be departing from the hotel for a powerful action!)

This is an incredibly important moment, as Congress is returning from recess and has a limited time to finalize appropriations.

This Federal Budget is a document expressing the values of our nation!  We are facing a threat of values centered around inequity and division; let’s make our voices heard and demand that our faith and community values are highlighted in this budget!

For more information,

please contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TEN's Fall Fly-in: One Nation, Indivisible

This September 12-13, organizers, leaders, and activists from across America will converge on our nation's capital for a powerful series of events, actions, and training sessions organized by TEN.

Events at this Fall's fly-in include:

• Trainings on community involvement in the legislative process
• Tools for organizing around transportation issues back home
• Information about workforce development models to create jobs through transportation
• Strategy on the direction of the movement
• Working on Capitol Hill
• A powerful national action to demand investment in transportation!

Spots are filling up fast so register today!

TEN's Next Webinar

Join us Thursday, August 25th from 4-5 pm EST for The Truth About Metropolitan Planning Organizations (a.k.a. MPOs). Panelists will discuss the purpose of MPO's, stories of MPO engagement from TEN leaders and organizers, and finally how to organize around your MPO.

These monthly webinars are aimed at community leaders, activists, advocacy organizations, and anyone who wants to learn more about organizing for transportation equity. Sign up today!

The Coming Reauthorization Debate

After planning to take up transportation reauthorization in July, the U.S. Senate has kicked the football further and further down the road.

With the debt ceiling deal behind them, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is calling on Congress to take up the transportation authorization conversation following the August recess.  Unless Congress passes a transportation authorization bill and transportation appropriations bill and extends the gas tax by September 30, all transportation programs across the country will shut down.

TEN is calling on Congress to take reauthorization seriously before a crisis similar to the debt ceiling cripples our national transportation system.

We're also calling on you to schedule a meeting with your Senator during the August Recess and to tell them that reauthorization is important to your state. Click here for contact info.

TEN's April Conference: Registration Ends Friday

Our Annual Conference is just around the corner. Join us in Washington, DC this April 4-5 for a powerful series of workshops, roundtable discussions, and seminars. Keynote speakers include DOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari, Executive Director of the Center for Social Inclusion Maya Wiley and COMTO President and CEO Julie Cunningham. 

Click here for detailed descriptions of this year's conference activities and events.

We've also extended the registration deadlines. If you need overnight accomodation in Washington, the new deadline is this Friday March 25th. Commuters have until March 31 to register. Scholarships are also available, and we are excited to announce a pre-conference reception for the founder of TEN, Rich Stolz, on April 3rd.

Availability is limited. Register for the April Conference today!

L.A. Bus Riders Union Spurs Civil Rights Inquiry

In November of last year, the L.A. Bus Riders Union (a TEN affiliate) along with local community groups, filed an administrative complaint with the Federal Transit Administration’s civil rights department.  The complaint was based on the allegation of discrimination in the L.A. MTA’s decision to cut over 300,000 service hours in the bus system. 

The FTA will conduct an on-site review to determine whether the MTA have violated Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by failing to evaluate the impact of such cuts on low-income and minority neighborhoods.

Click here to read more on this recent victory.

Influencing the Budget Debate

We're continuing to monitor the budget debate as it drags on in the Senate. Extensions have been passed but a final budget for 2011 has yet to be agreed upon. Many important programs are still in danger of defunding. This is why we're asking you -- once again -- to take the time to write your senators.

These cuts could remove almost $8.5 billion in already-approved federal transportation grants and would effectively eliminate nearly 300,000 jobs nationwide.

Write your senators today. Urge them to stand up for transit, infrastructure, and jobs!