Dear allies,
On November 8, voters have the opportunity to change the course of our communities’ futures with a fairer tax system that funds public education and transportation and a transit system that is safe, efficient, and affordable for all, regardless of immigration status. Join in on upcoming rallies with Public Transit Public Good, Greater Boston Labor Council, workers’ rights activists, community groups, and elected officials as they get out the vote in support of Question 1 and Question 4 on the November 8 ballot.
Workers and Riders for Yes on 1
Tuesday, October 25 | 12:30 p.m.
Fanueil Hall, 1 S Market St, Boston | Gather near the Sam Adams statue
Rally on Yes on 1 and 4
Saturday, October 29 | 9:30 a.m.
Blair Parking Lot, Nubian Square, Roxbury, Boston
Yes on 1 = Fairer funding for public education and transportation. The Fair Share Amendment would create a 4% tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million, requiring the richest one percent to help fund the state’s transit and education systems, instead of putting the burden on working people, seniors, and young people. It’s expected to generate $2 billion in new revenue.
Yes on 4 = Safer roads for everyone. A yes vote will support keeping a new law that allows people who don’t have legal immigration status to apply for a driver’s license. Every driver on the road in Massachusetts should be licensed and insured. It shouldn’t matter who those drivers are — and if voters approve Question 4 in November, it won’t.
For more information on Question 1 and 4, check out Massachusetts Voter Table’s Ballot Question Guide. Below you will find opportunities to engage and continue the fight on many issues that affect our communities and allies. Please spread the word by sharing our Facebook posts as well as following and retweeting us on Twitter. You can sign up here to receive regular updates from CLU.
In solidarity,
Community Labor United
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CLU and our partners are seeking experienced individuals to join our teams! If you know a social justice leader who is looking for a new role, please send them our way.
NEW – Zero Waste Specialist, Clean Water Action
NEW – Chief of Operations, MassCOSH
Visit our website today to view all job opportunities: MassCLU.org/Careers.
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October 25 Press Conference
Stand up, speak out, and take action on YES on 1. The Public Transit Public Good coalition is holding a press conference on Question 1, the Fair Share Amendment, on Tuesday, October 25 at 12:30 p.m. in front of Faneuil Hall! Riders, workers, and transit advocates agree that the MBTA must be made safer and more equitable to truly serve our communities. We know that this is possible if we act collectively to achieve sustainable sources of revenue and put riders and workers at the forefront of decision-making. Question 1 on the ballot could go a long way toward making the MBTA safer and fairer for decades to come.
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NEW REPORT: Fair Share for the MBTA – Voting Yes on 1 can make the MBTA safer and fairer
Our coalition just released a new report, Fair Share for the MBTA, that demonstrates how funds from the Fair Share Amendment could address chronic safety and performance problems at the MBTA for decades to come.
The new report reveals that:
- Nearly 60% of the MBTA is funded by the Commonwealth's most regressive form of revenue – sales taxes. With this funding structure, low-income riders pay more in sales tax as a percentage of the household budget compared to wealthier households.
- Unlike fares and sales tax, the Fair Share Amendment is a progressive tax. With a progressive tax, individuals with higher incomes pay a higher proportion of that income in taxes.
- Robert Kraft, the second richest person in Massachusetts, has a net worth of $10.6 billion. As of September 9, 2022, Kraft has given $1 million to oppose the Fair Share Amendment, through a Connecticut company he owns, Rand-Whitney Containerboard. This ranks him among the top five contributors to the No on 1 effort, even though he has benefited significantly from the MBTA through the commuter line.
Now is a critical moment, and a YES vote for the Fair Share Amendment will put Massachusetts on the right track. We will have the power to put our crisis of safety in the rearview mirror and mend the inequities that burden low-income riders and favor the wealthy. The Fair Share Amendment holds the potential to address both crises, making the MBTA safer and fairer in the decades to come. Read the full report today, and learn how voting YES on 1 will put the MBTA on the right track.
Learn more about our demands at Public Transit Public Good, and read about our report at State House News Service.
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We’re hiring a Child Care Program Coordinator: Apply by October 31!
Child care can be a major barrier to a good-paying career for many working parents. Care That Works is building a network of caregivers to bridge this gap in care. Are you passionate about helping your community? Do you have demonstrated experience with program development? This could be the job for you! Learn more and apply today!
Apply by October 31, 2022
- Salary: $60,000 to $70,000 annually
- A minimum commitment of one year required
- Women, LGBTQ+, and people of color are encouraged to apply
- Application materials needed: resume, cover letter, three references
Learn more about our campaign at Care That Works coalition.
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October 29 rally on Yes on 1 and 4
Join the Greater Boston Labor Council, workers’ rights activists, community groups, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Maura Healey next Saturday, October 29 for a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) rally in support of Question 1 and Question 4 on the November 8 ballot. Help us encourage voters to vote YES on these two important ballot questions: Question 1, creating a 4% tax on every dollar a taxpayer makes above $1 million in a year, and Question 4, allowing undocumented immigrants to be able to earn drivers’ licenses.
Rally on Yes on 1 and 4
Saturday, October 29 | 9:30 a.m.
Blair Parking Lot, Nubian Square, Roxbury, Boston
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The 2022 Fall Festival
Join GreenRoots, Mystic River Watershed Association, and the City of Chelsea for the 2022 Fall Festival from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 22. You’re invited to share your vision and help co-design a new park next to the Chelsea Street Bridge!
To register, contact GreenRoots at 617-466-3076 or email [email protected].
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Gen Z is driving a wave of unionization on college campuses
Northeastern workers and students’ fight for a fair contract has sparked unionization efforts on college campuses nationwide, and is largely being driven by Generation Z. Students and workers are taking bold action to fight for change on their campuses and in their workplaces. Now more than ever, young people view unions more favorably than any other age group.
Read more on how Northeastern workers and students have inspired Gen Z’ers toward unionization across the country's college campuses at The Business Journals.
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Mayor Wu’s executive order to streamline approval of affordable housing
This month, Mayor Wu announced that she will sign an executive order designed to speed up the production of affordable housing, remove barriers, and make the process for developing affordable housing easier city-wide. Learn more about Mayor Wu’s executive order at Boston.gov.
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Apply for federal student loan debt relief
This week, The U.S. Department of Education and the Biden Administration launched the application period for eligible borrowers to receive full or partial forgiveness of loans up to $20,000 for Federal Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for Non-Pell Grant recipients. It takes about two minutes to apply, and simply requires your name, date of birth, phone number, email, and social security number. Apply no later than December. 31, 2023.
Submit your application today, and visit Studentaid.gov.
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