Campaign Accomplishments

 

Since our October 2008 Summit - Connecting the Dots of Regional Equity - BRIDGE leaders have been working hard on a plan for 2009 that ties what we learned at that Summit to real action on issues in the region.  Our participation in the Faith and Democracy event in Washington DC in December provided us with new energy and a new sense of urgency, as well as national contacts to help us organize our campaigns. 

TRANSPORTATION JOBS: BRIDGE will be working to develop policies in Maryland whereby a portion of federal transportation funds will be utilized to fund job training for minorities in the construction industry.  A meeting last fall with Transportation Secretary John Pocari indicated that with the projects that will be happening with BRAC, this is a good time to move on this campaign.  At our October Summit, we heard of a successful program in the St. Louis area, and we will be working with the Gamaliel Foundation's Transportation Equity Network to organize this campaign. 

BRIDGE leaders recently attended a Transportation Equity Network conference to learn more about what has worked in other regions.  The goals of the conference were to demonstrate workforce policy development successes and identify opportunities; set goals for equity in transportation planning and reform, opportunity housing, and public transit through reauthorization and administrative changes.

Speakers reinforced the connection between transportation, jobs and housing.  Panels described successes in creating job opportunities and improving public transit by influencing state and local governments.  The federal surface transportation bill is up for reauthorization this summer.  This bill may be an opportunity to make more explicit the need to provide for jobs and job training on Federally-funded transportation projects.

BRIDGE leaders were able to network with other groups around the country and are using the knowledge gained to push forward on our campaign for transportation related job training in Maryland.

Our 2nd Annual MLK event in April celebrated the relationship between churches and labor that was part of Dr. King’s legacy.  These organizations will be working with us to turn this job training program into reality.

INCLUSIONARY HOUSING IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY: Several years ago, BRIDGE worked with members of the County Council to introduce Inclusionary Housing legislation.  When that effort failed, we vowed to revisit it in the future.  With BRAC around the corner, 2009 is the year for action on this goal.  The County Exec has said that he will support legislation that provides incentives, but not mandatory legislation.  BRIDGE believes that this is not enough and will be pursuing this goal in the upcoming year

Coalition Building has been a hallmark of the work BRIDGE has been doing in the Baltimore Region.  The Baltimore City Inclusionary Housing measure was drafted and passed because BRIDGE worked to build a coalition that kept the pressure on City official to do the right thing for the community.  Members of that coalition included unions who represent workers in the city.  As was reported last month, BRIDGE has joined a coalition to promote both Smart and Fair Growth that is promoting state-wide standards and enforcement of smart and fair growth policies.

At our October Summit, Dru Schmidt-Perkins, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Maryland, energized by our analysis of the impact of BRAC and our commitment to Fair Growth, agreed that a Fair Growth plank would be added to Smart Growth initiatives in the 2009 State General Assembly campaign that she was spearheading.  As a  direct result of that night, BRIDGE has joined the Joint Campaign for Smart and Fair Growth which introduced and pass legislation in Annapolis this year that strengthens and toughens enforcement for the Governor's Smart, Green and Growing legislation.

As we move forward in Anne Arundel County, our Smart and Fair Growth allies will be part of the team to get local legislation passed.  At a recent Earth Day Event in Annapolis, churches and environmental advocates joined together in service and celebration.  Next steps will include a power analysis and finding an ally to work with to draft and introduce legislation.

HOME GROWN JOBS:  The Holy Ground Campaign in East Baltimore has been focusing on providing affordable housing options as the neighborhood is redeveloped.  It has become clear that many members of the community cannot afford even the moderate housing units proposed, so the campaign is now focusing on providing more access to income opportunites by developing a local agriculture business in the neighborhood.