[NFBSATX] Rough draft of resolution to be voted on at Saturday's meeting

[wendy Walker]

This is a rough draft of the resolution we will vote on at tomorrow's
meeting (September 19):

Resolution in Support of Funding for VIA “Proposition A”

WHEREAS, the San Antonio Chapter of the National Federation of the
Blind (NFB-SA) is an integral part of the San Antonio community; and
WHEREAS, NFB-SA members participate in a multitude of activities that
enrich and enhance the vibrant culture of the San Antonio community
and surrounding area through advocacy, volunteer organization, houses
of worship, and cultural events; and
WHEREAS, one of the core beliefs of NFB-SA is that given the
opportunity blind people can compete with their sighted peers from a
place of equality in all aspects of life, so that they may study for,
actively seek, or become gainfully employed; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive forms of public transportation and mobility are
inexorably linked to these occupational and personal goals; and
WHEREAS, public transit services such as VIA and VIA Trans provide the
primary means of travel for members of NFB-SA; and
WHEREAS, in order for San Antonio to compete with other major
metropolitan areas such as Austin, Houston, and Dallas we San Antonio
must invest more heavily in public transit; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature authorized the creation of metropolitan
transit authorities in 1973, funded through a one percent sales tax
for public transportation; and
WHEREAS, the VIA Metropolitan Transportation Authority (VIA”) was
created in 1977 with only half of this sales tax authorized by the
Legislature compared to other transit authorities around the state;
and
WHEREAS, this historic underfunding of VIA challenges its ability to
meet the present and future transit needs of the citizens of Bexar
County; and
WHEREAS, increased funding for VIA and the Advanced Transportation
District would improve service to support our community’s coronavirus
pandemic response, aid in our economic recovery, and provide a vital
lifeline to working residents of San Antonio and their families; and
WHEREAS, Proposition A on the November 2020 ballot would reallocate
1/8th of one percent sales tax to VIA and the Advanced transportation
District for enhanced public transportation and mobility, to be used
for services, operations, passenger amenities, and equipment; and
WHEREAS, Barring the passage of a one/eighth cent sales tax, via
metropolitan transit is projected to face a $126 million shortfall
through 2025; and
WHEREAS, Potential cuts to transportation services could leave an
estimated 150,000 customers without such service; and
WHEREAS, an additional 1,400 customers with disabilities may be
negatively impacted by service changes, limiting their ability to move
about the city independently:
Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED that NFB-SA fully supports and endorses
(VIA) Proposition A on the November 2020 ballot to increase public
transportation funding for VIA and the Advanced Transportation
District.

Submitted to and approved by the San Antonio chapter of the National
Federation of the Blind on [INSERT DATE HERE], 2020.

Wendy Walker
Vice-President
San Antonio Chapter