Sen. Rodney Tom Gets our Grievances!

At the first stop of the Senate’s “Listening Tour” last Tuesday, TRU Members demanded that the “Majority” Coalition Caucus SAVE OUR METRO! and pass a transit funding option for King County in a special session this fall.  Senator Rodney Tom (“D”?) 48, was specially recognized for his role in stalling efforts to avert a 17% cut to Metro Bus service:

Low Income Fare Campaign Update

On July 22 the Transit Riders Union and allies presented the King Council Council with a petition of over 1,000 signatures in support of a low income reduced.  TRU members and allies, including representatives of Puget Sounds Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA), UFCW 21, and Seattle Housing and Resource Effort (SHARE), testified to the importance of affordable public transit.

In September the council also got a briefing from the Low Income Fare Options Advisory Committee, which they created at the beginning of 2013. The first recommendation of this committee was that a low income fare program should be created!  You can download the full recommendations and report of the advisory committee online here.

The Council Members are supportive in principle, but as usual the hurdle is funding.  A good low income fare program is likely to cost at least $12 million per year. So the critics ask: where is this funding going to come from, when Metro can’t even keep the buses running?

A low income fare shouldn’t mean more service cuts – this program needs its own dedicated funding source, and the money is out there.  For example, the county already has the power to pass an Employer Tax that could fully fund a great low income fare program. In politics, where there’s a will there’s a way.  Now we need to keep the pressure on!

Crucial Transportation Hearing next Tuesday, Sept. 17: Be there!

It’s time to take action. The State Senate is about to embark on a “listening tour”, with a series of Transportation Forums around the state. If they can come to agreement, Governor Inslee is prepared to call a special session in November to pass a transportation package. It’s up to us to make sure that King County gets a local funding option for public transit this year – it’s pretty much our last chance to stop deep service cuts.

If you do just one thing this month for public transit, let it be this: be there in Bellevue next Tuesday evening, September 17, for the first of the State Senate’s Forums. This is our opportunity to speak out for public transit – and to call out the Majority Coalition Caucus (including Sen. Rodney Tom) on their anti-transit, anti-union, anti-environment, anti-worker agenda. RSVP to contact@transitriders.org (or call 206-651-4282) if you can be there on September 17.

Senate “Transportation Leadership Forum”

Tuesday, September 17, 6:00–9:00pm*

Stevenson Elementary School

14220 NE 8th St., Bellevue 98007

* We will be rallying outside at 5:30 pm –Take the 550, 545, or 268 from downtown Seattle, then transfer to Rapid Ride B.

TRU 2013 Endorsements

Here are our endorsements for the upcoming Seattle and King County elections:

Mayor of Seattle: MIKE MCGINN

Seattle City Council Position 2: KSHAMA SAWANT

Seattle City Council Position 4: SALLY BAGSHAW

Seattle City Council Position 6: NICK LICATA

Seattle City Council Position 8: MIKE O’BRIEN

King County Executive: DOW CONSTANTINE

King County Council District 1: ROD DEMBOWSKI or NAOMI WILSON (no preferential endorsement)

King County Council District 5: DAVE UPTHEGROVE *

King County Council District 9: SHARI SONG

* Dave Upthegrove’s opponent, Andy Massagli, did not respond to our survey for local candidates. However, he did respond to our 2012 survey for candidates running for state legislature, and expressed the opinion that a “bicycle or walking shoe tax” would be a more appropriate way to fund public transit than taxing cars. Or better: “an alcohol or gang tax would target the riding demographic beautifully. Maybe a sagging pants that shows your underwear tax is in order”. Vote for UPTHEGROVE, people!

Updated Speaker Line-up – and remember to bring your grievances!

We got last-minute confirmations today from Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle King County NAACP President James Bible.  Our updated speaker line-up (order may shift a bit) is below.

Don’t forget to bring your grievances for Sen. Rodney Tom!

  • Katie Wilson (TRU)
  • Exec. Dow Constantine
  • Mayor Mike McGinn
  • Rep. Gael Tarleton
  • Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles
  • Jacob Struiksma (TRU)
  • Verita Alexander (ATU/Metro Driver)
  • Anita Nath (PSARA)
  • Kshama Sawant (Socialist Alternative/City Council candidate)
  • James Bible (NAACP Pres.)
  • Scott Myers (TRU)

“WTF, Olympia?” Rally this Saturday, July 27: Print a poster for your bus stop!

Print a poster     Print some flyers     And come to the rally!

The rally will start at noon at City Hall Park, the grassy park on the south side of the King County Courthouse at 3rd and Yesler, 450 3rd Avenue.

Here’s our new guest speaker line-up – several TRU organizers and members will be speaking too.  Stay tuned for updates:

  • Rep. Gael Tarleton
  • Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles
  • Mayor Mike McGinn
  • TRU Member Jacob Struiksma
  • Metro Driver and ATU Executive Board Officer Verita Alexander
  • PSARA Board Member Anita Nath
  • Socialist Alternative activist and City Council candidate Kshama Sawant