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Transit Alliance

Tactics and Strategies for Organizing a Successful Ballot Measure Campaign Center for Transportation Excellence Conference Dec. 9, 2003 Kelly Nordini Transit Alliance www.transitalliance.org. Transit Alliance. Founded in 1999 Coalition of 39 groups Local governments Business organizations

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Transit Alliance

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  1. Tactics and Strategies for Organizing a Successful Ballot Measure CampaignCenter for Transportation Excellence ConferenceDec. 9, 2003Kelly NordiniTransit Alliancewww.transitalliance.org

  2. Transit Alliance • Founded in 1999 • Coalition of 39 groups • Local governments • Business organizations • Community groups

  3. Transit Alliance • Our purpose is to contribute to the economic vitality, the quality of life, and the environment of theDenver Metropolitan region by promoting public transitas part of a balanced,multi-modal transportation network.

  4. 1997 Guide the Ride Campaign • Lost 44 to 56% • 4/10 cent sales tax increase for RTD, decreasing to 2/10 after system built • Regional network of 100 miles of rapid transit • Circulator buses, suburban bus service • $2.1 Billion capital, $3.5 Billion total through 2015

  5. 1997 Guide the Ride Campaign • Pro • Coalition of over 100 groups, Denver Post • Raised $650,000 • Anti • RTD Board Member Jon Caldara • “Clear the Air” -- RTD Chair Ben Klein • Rocky Mtn News, State Treasurer Bill Owens, several counties • Raised $50,000

  6. 1997 Campaign Post-Mortem • Campaign failed because: • Divided agency (i.e. 8-7 vote, board member led opposition) • Unfinished plan (i.e. didn’t know what going to Boulder) • Package too big • No “real” proven successful LRT project (“starter” line only)

  7. 1997 Campaign Post-Mortem • Traffic problem not going away • Voters did not reject light rail • Pursue an incremental approach • Keep the coalition together

  8. 1997 - 1999 Activities • 1998 - Pro-transit RTD board elected • 1998 - Transit Alliance formed • Corridor planning process continues

  9. 1999 Metro Moves Campaign • RTD - Wins by 66% • No new taxes • Allowed bonding for SE light rail • Allowed RTD to keep “excess” revenue for SE through 2026 • Provided 40% local match for federal grant • TRANS • No new taxes • Bonding for 28 priority projects, including SE Corridor

  10. 1999 Metro Moves Campaign • Pro • Broad coalition including Gov. Owens, Rocky Mtn News • Raised nearly $1 Million (light rail), $1.2 Million (TRANS) • Anti • Jon Caldera, RTD Director Dick Sargent, Doug Bruce • Negligible funding

  11. 2004 Campaign • 2-3+ Years Before • Form a transit advocacy group/build coalition • continued to expand Transit Alliance, added 9 new members • formed Transit Alliance Action Fund, raised $70K for lobbying effort, built coalition of 45 groups • Do the transit planning • RTD released 1st draft of FasTracks plan 2001 • continued corridor planning process • Reform/Build agency/transit image

  12. 2004 Campaign • 2-3+ Years Before continued... • Demonstrate transit success • RTD opened 2 more LRT lines on-time and on-budget, exceeding ridership projections • Demonstrate traffic crisis • Denver 3rd most congested city in the country • Voter research to identify key messages/issues and test package elements • Alliance raised $30K for poll • Showed 78% support for tax increase for transit

  13. 2004 Campaign • 2-3+ Years Before continued… • Public education • Alliance reached over 25,000 people in last 2 years through presentations, booth at summer events • 21,000 postcards in support of transit, 300 new potential volunteers identified • Held training workshops for more than 170 activists • Mail newsletter 3/year to over 3,500 community leaders and volunteers • Website receives 2,000 visits monthly • Host leadership forums on key transit issues

  14. 2004 Campaign • 1-2+ Years • Begin finalizing the transit plan • RTD sent FasTracks plan to MPO for review, Nov. ‘03 • Establish exploratory/campaign committee • Alliance facilitated convening Citizens for FasTracks Success, began meeting May ‘03 • Voter research to assess viability, issues, messages • Engage stakeholders, continue coalition building • Continue public education

  15. Factors for Success • Public concern about traffic • Successful projects & agency • Organized, broad-based (electeds, business, environmental) political support • Well-funded, well-organized campaign • Messages that resonate

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