CFTE Update for October 24,
2005
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CFTE Update
October 24, 2005 - Vol. 3, No. 12
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In this issue …
• Election Day Nears
• Public Transportation Emerges as Key Element in Katrina
Recovery
• New Study Links Public Transportation & Active Living
• ‘GOTV’ Critical to Successful Campaigns
• News Updates
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Election Day Nears
• INITIATIVES PENDING IN 5 STATES; 2005 ALREADY A BANNER YEAR
FOR TRANSPORTATION
In just over two weeks, communities in five states will head to
polls to vote on transportation funding initiatives. The biggest
electoral test will come in New York where voters statewide will
decide the fate of the “Rebuild and Renew Transportation Bond
Act,” a $2.9 billion bond funding for an array of projects
throughout the state. Other transportation initiatives to be decided
in November include a $20 million property tax extension in Youngstown,
Ohio, a .6 millage tax in Livonia, Michigan, and a 1% sales tax
for Castle Rock, Colorado to be included in the Denver area’s
Regional Transportation District.
Regardless of the November 8 outcomes, public transportation has
already had another year of significant electoral success. The transit
initiative batting average headed into Election Day would be the
envy of both Chicago and Houston. Twelve of thirteen initiatives
considered thus far in 2005 have passed. Successful initiatives
this year include a $1.93 million bond proposal in Anchorage, Alaska,
that was approved 54% to 46%. In Saginaw, Michigan, voters agreed
to a 3 mill increase in property taxes to sustain transit services.
Interestingly, both of these elections mark a reversal of narrow
defeats last year. Most recently 61% of those voting in a Juneau,
Alaska, special election endorsed a 33-month 1% sales tax extension
for a variety of infrastructure projects including a new downtown
transit center.
Public Transportation Emerges as Key Element in Katrina
Recovery
• RESIDENTS, OFFICIALS PUSH FOR EXPANDED TRANSIT IN DEVASTED
REGION
The flawed evacuation of New Orleans and the Gulf coast exposed
the lack of mobility choices and efficiency in the region. Now as
recovery and redevelopment plans begin, residents and officials
are pushing for expanded and improved transportation options. In
Mississippi, the Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal
appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour (R) outlined a plan for a new light
rail corridor. In New Orleans, plans are underway to both expand
existing street car service and improve regional rail connections.
At a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing last
week in Washington, local officials and business leaders from Louisiana
noted the critical role of transportation infrastructure in the
recovery process and plans for the future. Also, the Victoria Transport
Policy Institute has released a new study outlining how communities
can identify various policy and planning strategies that can help
create a more efficient and resilient transport system.
Read the reports.
New Study Links Public Transportation, Active Living &
Public Health
• TRANSIT OPTIONS HELP PEOPLE MEET DAILY EXERCISE NEEDS
A newly published study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine
suggests that public transportation commuters may have an easier
time meeting exercise goals set by the Surgeon General. Using data
from the National Household Travel Survey, researchers found that
transit users average nearly 25 minutes of walking time on days
they used public transportation. To combat obesity and promote general
health, the Surgeon General recently urged Americans to get at least
30 minutes of moderate physical activity, like walking, on a daily
basis. The authors conclude that “improvements in the built
environment, such as increased access to public transit, may provide
a viable and effective option to promote and maintain active lifestyles.”
For more information, see Recent
Reports & News.
‘GOTV’ Critical to Successful Campaigns
• ‘GET-OUT-THE-VOTE’ OPERATIONS OFTEN KEY IN CLOSE
ELECTIONS
Despite the overall success rate for public transportation ballot
initiatives, the reality is that most initiative and referenda campaigns
are close elections. The outcome of close elections often hinge
on last-minute voter mobilization. An effective ‘Get-Out-The-Vote’
operation, known as GOTV, can be the difference between success
and failure. Three keys to successful GOTV operations are advance
voter identification, targeted voter turn-out efforts, and integrated
Election Day GOTV support. Advance voter identification allows your
phone bank operations to focus on mobilizing core supporters in
the last critical days and hours. These efforts in turn allow for
a strategic approach to neighborhood GOTV canvassing on the weekend
before Election Day and voter “pull teams” on the big
day. Lastly, an integrated approach to Election Day means that you
are coordinating resources such as buses, phone banks, and door-to-door
teams with reported turn-out for targeted precincts. Good GOTV can’t
save a floundering campaign but many good campaigns have fallen
short with a poor GOTV performance.
CFTE has produced a guide
to effective transit initiatives with guidelines for successful
campaigns.
News Updates
CFTE monitors new developments in public transportation across
the nation, including upcoming and potential elections. Click
here to access these and other news stories.
Tucson, AZ: "Two Panels on Board for Tucson Trolley,"
Daily Star, October 20, 2005
Honolulu, HI: "Long Transit Battle Likely Counsels
National Experts", Honolulu Advertiser, Oct 10, 2005
Washington, DC: "Leaders Back Idea of Dedicated Funds
for Metro", Washington Post, October 4, 2005
New York, NY: "MTA to Push Its Riders to Vote",
New York Newsday, September 14, 2005
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