Op-Ed: More MARTA Should Mean Less Poverty
Che Watkins, president and CEO of the Center for Working Families, makes the case for transit investments as a key tool for reducing poverty by improving access to jobs.
Watkins pens the opinion piece in context of the ongoing public comment period for the More MARTA plan, which will chart a path for $2.5 billion over the next 40 years generated by the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2016.
"I truly hope that specific attention has been paid when designing the plan, not just on getting people to their favorite restaurant or concert, but also has an eye towards equity when it comes to underserved communities," writes Watkins. "I hope that the plan considers: Where are the additional jobs that can be accessed and what kinds of jobs are they? Are they in Midtown, Buckhead or Downtown and are higher income jobs or will there be improved access to jobs for entry level and mid-level positions?"
Topics
- The Year in Skyscraper Construction
- A Compelling Case for Protected Bike Lanes
- Is Pay by Distance Unfair to the Poor?
- Understanding the 'Dark Store Theory' Costing Local Governments Millions in Property Tax
- Rising Homelessness, Erroneous Data: Rethinking Utah's 'Housing First' Policy
- Let's Hope Trump Considers Infrastructure a National Security Issue Too
- A Better Travel Experience
- Mall of America Gets Opportunity Zone Status
- Congestion Pricing Takes Major Step Forward in New York City
- Vermont to Pay People to Relocate
- Transit Agency Chief to Propose Congestion Pricing for Los Angeles
- EPA Enforcement Activities Hit 30-Year Low
- Defense Department Calls Climate Change a National Security Threat
- Inland Waterways Looking for a Comeback
- The 'Latino Homeless Paradox'
- Seattle Rebrands its Planned Bus Rapid Transit System: Stride
- How Do Downtown Homes Prices Compare?
- New Taxi Fee Could Have Lethal Consequences
- Plan to Speed Up Relief Line Construction Pitched in Toronto
- Needed: A New Approach to the Colorado River
