The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

January 31, 2011 - Posted by Jeff Miller

A new coalition dedicated to increasing and improving transportation options for all Americans – particularly those in minority and low-income communities – is applauding President Obama for highlighting the need to invest in transportation to help rebuild America during his State of the Union address last Tuesday.

In a speech built on the theme “Winning the Future,” the president said repairing roads and bridges and making other infrastructure investments “will make America a better place to do business and create jobs."

In a statement, the Equity Caucus at Transportation for America, which includes The Leadership Conference, noted that “inadequate, outdated, and underfunded transportation systems are keeping too many struggling Americans -- young and old, rural and urban -- from fully connecting and contributing to the national economy.” The Equity Caucus is a broad coalition of civil rights, community development, faith-based, health, housing, labor, environmental, tribal, and transportation organizations promoting the need for racial and class equity in transportation access.

With Congress expected to take up a major surface transportation bill this year, the Equity Caucus recommended that it include investments that:

• Create affordable and flexible transportation options for everyone, regardless of income, race, age, disability, or background;
• Create, protect, and ensure fair access to quality jobs, training, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry;
• Promote healthy, safe, and inclusive communities with housing opportunities for families of all incomes; and,
• Encourage fair and transparent investment dollars invested in transportation.

“By investing in transportation projects, America can get people back to work now, lay a strong foundation for future economic growth, and expand opportunity for millions of people. But we must target our investments equitably to the people and places that need them most,” the Equity Caucus said.

Read the full statement here.

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