Friends,
For nearly a decade, Streetsblog California has been a loud and consistent voice for more and better transportation options, for equitable transportation spending and policy, and in defense of communities throughout California. While we enjoy ongoing support from major foundations and our advertising program, that’s not enough; nearly one-third of our operating funds come from individual donors. Our goal is to raise $30,000 in the next month.
To make it easier for people to support us, we have opened an account with Patreon (sign up for a monthly donation here). We have plans for many fun ways to interact with our readers and donors. Regardless of whether or not you are donating through Patreon or our regular donation portal (here), you will be eligible for all of the activities and goodies we have planned.
If you are already convinced and want to make a tax-deductible donation to Streetsblog, you can do so at Patreon or Donorbox. If you need more information about an employer match program or anything else, email our director at damien@streetsblog.org.
In 2021, Streetsblog California editor Melanie Curry continued to shine a light on legislative actions, explaining the importance of bills and tracking their progress. She also reported on arcane but important agency actions - or lack of action (CTC Slow Walking Climate Action on Transportation Investments) - and other policy discussions happening behind closed doors (Business Lobbyists Ask Governor to Set Aside Worker Protections Under Clean Air Rules).
Sometimes a story happens in plain view, but other reporters fail to see its importance. Curry broke one such story, noting that the legislature was not keen on releasing the Prop 1a funds, passed in 2008 for high-speed rail, to the Authority in June. And then as the fiscal year came to an end, she reported that the fight with the Governor had ensnarled funds set aside for the state’s Active Transportation Program.
Legislative maneuvering gave them some time to work something out, but as the legislature went into recess a week before the Governor’s recall election, they again failed to reach an agreement.
How does the story end? Hopefully we’ll find out together in early 2022 when the legislature returns to session.
If you support this work and want to see it continue in the future, please make a donation, today at Patreon or Donorbox.
All the Best,
Damien Newton
P.S. - One last note: earlier this year the IRS accidentally revoked the 501c(3) categorization for the Southern California Streets Initiative, our umbrella organization. The IRS has admitted its error and restored our status (PDF of letter). However, some websites and some matching programs may still have us listed as “inactive.” Rest assured this is in error - and please share with us any organizations that have us mislisted so we can get our status corrected. Email us at damien@streetsblog.org.
