On the Way
Volume 2, Issue 3
March 2008

Grassroots Advocacy Shapes Transit Vicotry

Abraham Lincoln appeared at the Minnesota State Capitol on the first day of the legislative session. Scratch that—over a dozen Abraham Lincolns appeared at the State Capitol, toting a cardboard bus, and becoming media darlings.

“The first day of the legislative session happened to coincide with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday,” says Dave Van Hattum, Policy & Advocacy Program Manager at Transit for Livable Communities. “Lincoln was a strong supporter of the transcontinental railroad and investing in our nation’s infrastructure. As Lincoln said, ‘We cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.’ If he was alive today, we think he would support transit investments.”

Partnering with ISAIAH, a faith-based organization of 86 congregations focusing on social justice issues, and the Sierra Club, Transit for Livable Communities’ activists showed up at the State Capitol dressed as Lincoln. Photographers and videographers captured the event, which was featured on two local television stations. Van Hattum, who provided testimony dressed as Lincoln, was captured in an Associated Press photograph.

“I had so much fun dressing up as Abe Lincoln and talking to people about transit,” says Carrie Butler, a TLC activist and intern. “It was great to see us on the news, and legislators even stopped by to have pictures taken with us!”

Grassroots advocates were vital to the success of the 2008 transportation bill. Advocates contacted legislators, provided testimony at legislative hearings, wrote letters to the editor, and showed up at early-morning media events—all to ensure that legislators knew that transit was an important part of the package.

Some advocates even showed up at suburban park and rides at 5:00 a.m. Greeting commuters with coffee and hot chocolate, volunteers thanked commuters for helping Minnesota’s environment and economy…and ensured those bus riders had the information needed to contact their legislators. Special guests also stopped by to help out. Representatives Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) and Ron Erhardt (R-Edina) participated in a media event at the Eden Prairie park and ride, and Representative Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan) showed up to help out at the Eagan event. Lea Schuster, Executive Director at Transit for Livable Communities, showed up at the Coon Rapids event to speak with KARE 11 television. The events were featured in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, WCCO Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, and the Coon Rapids Herald.

“We can no longer ignore the strong benefits that a transit system could bring to our region,” said Representative Erhardt. “With one million people moving to our state over the next 20 years, we desperately need alternatives to sitting in traffic. This is a quality of life issue, and Minnesota deserves a transportation system that helps us address this growth.”

After the bill passed, Transit for Livable Communities’ action network wrote letters to legislators, thanking them for standing up for Minnesota’s transportation future. They also started contacting county commissioners to ensure that counties opted into the regional sales tax featured in the bill.

“Simply, Transit for Livable Communities’ action network is amazing,” says Michelle Dibblee, Organizer at Transit for Livable Communities. “Elected officials often tell us how important it is to hear about transit from their constituents. The efforts of our action network and our partners made sure that transit was a key component of this transportation bill.”