Proposition 6 would deprive California of vital transportation funds

October 4, 2018   |   By Michelle Pariset and Richard Marcantonio

If adopted by the voters in November, Proposition 6 will slash $5.2 billion from California’s budget each year for the next ten years–funding that is earmarked for meeting some of the state’s most urgent transportation needs.

These billions of dollars of funding come from Senate Bill (SB) 1, which was passed in 2017. Among other things, SB 1 more than doubles the State Transit Assistance program, adding $400 million a year to the state’s main source of funding for transit operations. That is money we urgently need to run more bus service while simultaneously creating good green jobs for drivers and mechanics. The loss of this funding would hurt all Californians, but would fall especially hard on low-income families who depend on transit to get to work, school, healthcare, and other vital services.

All told, SB 1 provides a total of $750 million a year for transit (none of it for high-speed rail), and $100 million a year for active transportation projects that make our communities more walkable and bikeable. These projects, which reduce our dependence on cars, are vital to our state’s goal of mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Why does Public Advocates in particular care about defeating Proposition 6? We and our partner organizations fought to make sure that SB 1 transportation dollars would benefit Californians of all backgrounds by pushing especially hard for more transit service and reduced fares.

We believe that transportation justice starts with meaningful community engagement, accessibility, equitable investments, and the avoidance of harm to low-income communities and communities of color.

We were advocates for the equitable investment of these critical resources before Proposition 6. And we will continue to be advocates after Proposition 6 is defeated.

Click here to learn more about why you should Vote No on Prop 6!