[NFBSATX] final draft-Resolution in support of Via/ATD Proposition A

[wendy Walker]

The following is the resolution's final draft voted on and approved at
last Saturday's meeting:

Resolution in Support of Funding for VIA Advanced Transportation
District-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 cent sales tax for
public transportation; and
WHEREAS, the VIA Metropolitan Transportation Authority (VIA”) was
created in 1977 with only half of this amount, compared with 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, Advanced Transportation District-Proposition A on the
November 2020 ballot would add an additional 1/8th of one cent sales
tax to be allocated for  VIA and the Advanced transportation District
for enhanced public transportation and mobility, to be used for
services, operations, passenger amenities, and equipment;
Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED that NFB-SA fully supports and endorses
the advanced transportation district special election on the November
2020 ballot, to increase public transportation funding for VIA.

Submitted to and approved by the San Antonio chapter of the National
Federation of the Blind on 09/19/2020.