TALC- the Bay Area's own Tranportation and Landuse Coalition- is a partnership of over 90 groups working for a sustainable and socially just Bay Area based on walkable communities connected by comprehensive transportation. TALC analyzes county and regional policies, works with community groups to develop alternatives, and coordinates grassroots campaigns. The following message from TALC informs of current issues and tells us what we can do.

Governor's Proposed Budget Set to Undermine Climate Goals

Carli Paine, Transportation Program Director, Transportation and Land Use Coalition

With fully 50% of the Bay Area's, and 40% of the state's, greenhouse gas emissions attributable to transportation, public transportation should be an obvious priority for California. But, since 2000 about $3 billion in dedicated state public transportation funding has been redirected away from public transportation. And, sadly, the raid of public transit funding has only increased in the years since California's landmark climate change legislation, AB 32, was passed.

This year, as gas prices have reached record highs and more and more Californians have been turning to public transportation, Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing to take another $1.4 billion in dedicated public transportation funding away! The loss of $19 million for AC Transit, and $50 million for BART, and $65 million for MUNI could lead to fare increases and service cuts.

This year's budget is admittedly tough, with California facing a $14 billion deficit. But, cutting 70% of the state's funding from public transportation undermines an important environmental and economical choice for hundreds of thousands of Californians.

The Transportation and Land Use Coalition is asking our state legislators to stop the raid of public transportation funds.

To join your voice to this effort, tell your legislator to protect public transportation funds in the state budget. Find your legislator at: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html. Learn more about the state budget and the threats to public transportation at: http://www.transcoalition.org.