Laurel in Transit
@laurelintransit.bsky.social
Transportation justice. Live in Oakland, work all over California. More from me at laurelintransit.com and transitdataprimer.org
The main threat to transit isn't crime, it is the federal government threatening funding and rolling back civil rights and environmental justice protections. commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/the-...
The real danger facing the T - CommonWealth Beacon
There is a clear threat to our public transit system here in Boston, and it is not crime or “vagrancy.” It is the systematic clawing back of federal funding and the withdrawal of environmental justice...
commonwealthbeacon.org
October 3, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The main threat to transit isn't crime, it is the federal government threatening funding and rolling back civil rights and environmental justice protections. commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/the-...
In the continuing attacks on civil rights and environmental justice today the Federal Transit Administration withdrew its circular on Environmental Justice issued in 2012. www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Notice of Withdrawal of Environmental Justice Guidance
The Federal Transit Administration withdraws guidance document Circular 4703.1, Environmental Justice.
www.federalregister.gov
September 15, 2025 at 4:17 PM
In the continuing attacks on civil rights and environmental justice today the Federal Transit Administration withdrew its circular on Environmental Justice issued in 2012. www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
This is my fear for the future of transit, sponsors determining service. It will create inadequate and inequitable service levels and we now lack the credible threat of federal Title VI enforcement. Support for everyone in PA fighting for transit funding!
use FanDuel promocode FISCALCLIFF for to get your first $5 bet for free and connect with a Pennsylvania representative www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/...
FanDuel helps restore SEPTA's express train service for Eagles season opener
FanDuel announced they're providing resources to restore SEPTA's express train service on the Broad Street Line for the Eagles season opener.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com
September 3, 2025 at 8:11 PM
This is my fear for the future of transit, sponsors determining service. It will create inadequate and inequitable service levels and we now lack the credible threat of federal Title VI enforcement. Support for everyone in PA fighting for transit funding!
Join me tonight at this virtual panel!
#TransitMonth2025 webinar tonight --
"Embracing Immigrants (and fighting ICE) on Public Transit"
www.socaltransitmonth.org/embracing_im...
"Embracing Immigrants (and fighting ICE) on Public Transit"
www.socaltransitmonth.org/embracing_im...
Embracing Immigrants (and fighting ICE) on Public Transit Webinar
www.socaltransitmonth.org
September 3, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Join me tonight at this virtual panel!
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
The millionaire’s tax in Mass is providing critical funding to the MBTA, and has resulted in the elimination of subway slow zones, trains that are moving faster, and the hiring of more bus drivers to expand service.
Tax the rich, fund transit.
Tax the rich, fund transit.
"But nearly three years later, it’s becoming clearer and clearer — the Massachusetts millionaires tax has been a total success, and an incredible benefit for our state’s businesses. " #mapoli
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/the-...
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/the-...
The Fair Share Amendment is delivering - CommonWealth Beacon
Nearly three years after its passage, it’s becoming clear that the millionaires tax has been a total success, and an incredible benefit for our state’s businesses.
commonwealthbeacon.org
August 19, 2025 at 12:11 AM
The millionaire’s tax in Mass is providing critical funding to the MBTA, and has resulted in the elimination of subway slow zones, trains that are moving faster, and the hiring of more bus drivers to expand service.
Tax the rich, fund transit.
Tax the rich, fund transit.
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
remember to breathe
they want you to stop, but you shouldn't
they want you to stop, but you shouldn't
June 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
remember to breathe
they want you to stop, but you shouldn't
they want you to stop, but you shouldn't
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
as much as anything, Andrew Cuomo's campaign represents the bipartisan consensus at the top that consequences and standards are for other, lesser, working class plebes. destined to suffer what they must for the outcomes others merely would prefer. But No Kings should mean No Nobles either.
June 16, 2025 at 2:27 PM
as much as anything, Andrew Cuomo's campaign represents the bipartisan consensus at the top that consequences and standards are for other, lesser, working class plebes. destined to suffer what they must for the outcomes others merely would prefer. But No Kings should mean No Nobles either.
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
This time-lapse video of protesters marching down Broadway in Oakland for No Kings Day gives an idea of how many people turned out today @sfchronicle.com
June 14, 2025 at 11:07 PM
This time-lapse video of protesters marching down Broadway in Oakland for No Kings Day gives an idea of how many people turned out today @sfchronicle.com
This is heartbreaking and infuriating on so many levels. All of the details illustrate how our society is designed for some and against others. The $1.5 million bond for both parents makes the injustice so clear. Zero consideration given to what is best for the surviving 10 year old.
"Authorities told WBTV that adults must be held accountable in these types of incidents and should ensure their children are in a safe environment.
The driver of the SUV has not been charged at this time, per WCNC."
The driver of the SUV has not been charged at this time, per WCNC."
Parents Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter After Their Son, 7, Dies While Crossing the Street
Two North Carolina parents are facing multiple charges after their 7-year-old son was killed while allegedly crossing a street unsupervised on May 27. Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins are being held o...
people.com
June 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This is heartbreaking and infuriating on so many levels. All of the details illustrate how our society is designed for some and against others. The $1.5 million bond for both parents makes the injustice so clear. Zero consideration given to what is best for the surviving 10 year old.
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
New: States say the Trump Admin is holding emergency relief and transit funds "hostage" in retaliation for not complying with immigration directives.
"More cars, planes, and trains will crash, and more people will die as a result."
"More cars, planes, and trains will crash, and more people will die as a result."
States accuse Trump administration of holding emergency relief hostage over immigration policy
State attorneys general filed two lawsuits on Tuesday accusing the executive branch of withholding essential funds for not complying with federal immigration directives.
www.courthousenews.com
May 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
New: States say the Trump Admin is holding emergency relief and transit funds "hostage" in retaliation for not complying with immigration directives.
"More cars, planes, and trains will crash, and more people will die as a result."
"More cars, planes, and trains will crash, and more people will die as a result."
If this wasn't real, it would be the plot of a nerd's action movie. The bad guys are trying to break into the Library of Congress to steal all of the copyrighted material to feed into their earth destroying machines and the librarians have to fight back to save humanity!
Pro-democracy forces try to hold the Library….
Some clarity: Capitol police were called when DOJ guys tried to enter the US Copyright Building, Library of Congress General Counsel said no and walked them out. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/u...
May 12, 2025 at 11:13 PM
If this wasn't real, it would be the plot of a nerd's action movie. The bad guys are trying to break into the Library of Congress to steal all of the copyrighted material to feed into their earth destroying machines and the librarians have to fight back to save humanity!
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
No surprise that the federal data grab continues to fuel the AI race.
And also no coincidence that this occurred within days of the Librarian of Congress being fired without cause. The Office of the Register of Copyrights sits within the Library of Congress.
Keep fighting @morelle.house.gov.
And also no coincidence that this occurred within days of the Librarian of Congress being fired without cause. The Office of the Register of Copyrights sits within the Library of Congress.
Keep fighting @morelle.house.gov.
Donald Trump’s termination of Register of Copyrights, Shira Perlmutter, is a brazen, unprecedented power grab with no legal basis.
It's surely no coincidence he acted less than a day after she refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk’s efforts to mine troves of copyrighted works to train AI models.
It's surely no coincidence he acted less than a day after she refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk’s efforts to mine troves of copyrighted works to train AI models.
May 10, 2025 at 11:25 PM
No surprise that the federal data grab continues to fuel the AI race.
And also no coincidence that this occurred within days of the Librarian of Congress being fired without cause. The Office of the Register of Copyrights sits within the Library of Congress.
Keep fighting @morelle.house.gov.
And also no coincidence that this occurred within days of the Librarian of Congress being fired without cause. The Office of the Register of Copyrights sits within the Library of Congress.
Keep fighting @morelle.house.gov.
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
Poisoning the air of a Black community for a fucking chatbot.
'How come I can’t breathe?': Musk's data company draws a backlash in Memphis
The company’s turbines — enough to power 280,000 homes — run without emission controls in an area that leads Tennessee in asthma hospitalizations.
www.politico.com
May 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Poisoning the air of a Black community for a fucking chatbot.
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
A report from the scene of a horrifying kidnapping on the streets of Worcester, MA today by @billshaner.bsky.social www.welcometohellworld.com/they-dont-ne...
They don't need a warrant
A federal kidnapping in Worcester
www.welcometohellworld.com
May 8, 2025 at 10:54 PM
A report from the scene of a horrifying kidnapping on the streets of Worcester, MA today by @billshaner.bsky.social www.welcometohellworld.com/they-dont-ne...
A judge issued a TRO in a case brought by @kingcountymetro.bsky.social challenging changes to the FTA Master Grant agreement. I learned from reading the legal filings that FTA changed their master grant agreement to say federal requirements includes executive orders and cooperating with ICE.
May 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
A judge issued a TRO in a case brought by @kingcountymetro.bsky.social challenging changes to the FTA Master Grant agreement. I learned from reading the legal filings that FTA changed their master grant agreement to say federal requirements includes executive orders and cooperating with ICE.
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
ClimatePlan is searching for a new director. This org acts as the nerve center for all sorts of bright, equity-oriented sustainable transportation and land use policy advocates across California - come work with us!!
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/05/07/i...
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/05/07/i...
Interested in a Job Fighting Climate Change? Climate Plan Seeks New Director - Streetsblog California
This coalition of nonprofits working to shift California's transportation infrastructure towards sustainable and equitable travel is looking for someone to lead their new campaigns
cal.streetsblog.org
May 7, 2025 at 11:20 PM
ClimatePlan is searching for a new director. This org acts as the nerve center for all sorts of bright, equity-oriented sustainable transportation and land use policy advocates across California - come work with us!!
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/05/07/i...
cal.streetsblog.org/2025/05/07/i...
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
This is an outrageous policy change. Also, if you’re gonna do this then you gotta do it for drivers, too right? Given those are obviously far far more dangerous vehicles.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/05/02/p...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/05/02/p...
Policy Change: NYPD Will Write Criminal Summonses, Not Traffic Tickets, for Cyclists - Streetsblog New York City
Quietly, the NYPD has changed policy and will now make criminal cases against cyclists who go through red lights, a change that will have predictable and unpredictable ramifications.
nyc.streetsblog.org
May 2, 2025 at 2:18 PM
This is an outrageous policy change. Also, if you’re gonna do this then you gotta do it for drivers, too right? Given those are obviously far far more dangerous vehicles.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/05/02/p...
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/05/02/p...
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
"Mobility justice demands that we confront the surveillance, policing, and xenophobia ... It demands we stop asking people to prove their worth before they can move without fear. It means acknowledging our streets, sidewalks, and bus stops are not neutral but political" Ruth Rosas
I love this piece we published from Ruth Rosas of @americawalks.bsky.social, which unfortunately became even more relevant since Sean Duffy announced a wholesale attack on the transportation funding of any city that doesn't comply with federal immigration orders. Make this a part of your advocacy.
Freedom to Move: Why Immigration Belongs in the Mobility Conversation — Streetsblog USA
"If movement is a right, then that right must apply to everyone regardless of identity."
usa.streetsblog.org
May 2, 2025 at 3:44 PM
"Mobility justice demands that we confront the surveillance, policing, and xenophobia ... It demands we stop asking people to prove their worth before they can move without fear. It means acknowledging our streets, sidewalks, and bus stops are not neutral but political" Ruth Rosas
A literal Chicago Boy running a deregulation effort under an authoritarian government, ask a Chilean what could go wrong!
NEW: "Christopher Sweet was introduced to HUD employees as being originally from San Francisco and most recently a third-year at the University of Chicago, where he was studying economics and data science" @telliotter.bsky.social & @davidgilbert.bsky.social w/ the scoop www.wired.com/story/doge-c...
DOGE Put a College Student in Charge of Using AI to Rewrite Regulations
A DOGE operative has been tasked with using AI to propose rewrites to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's regulations—an effort sources are told will roll out across government.
www.wired.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:06 PM
A literal Chicago Boy running a deregulation effort under an authoritarian government, ask a Chilean what could go wrong!
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
republicans are trying to give ICE a 140% increase in funding at the same time they're doing mass deportations, exiling citizens and permanently disappearing people to foreign prisons w/out trial
this is VERY REAL. it is part of their reconciliation bill that can be enacted even with all ds opposed
this is VERY REAL. it is part of their reconciliation bill that can be enacted even with all ds opposed
in total, the republican judiciary bill would give $73 billion to ICE over 5 years - a 140% increase annual increase in ICE funding above its current level of $10.5 per year
$9 billion for ICE agents, $14.4 billion for deportations, $45 billion for detention facilities, $5 billion for other stuff
$9 billion for ICE agents, $14.4 billion for deportations, $45 billion for detention facilities, $5 billion for other stuff
April 28, 2025 at 8:34 PM
republicans are trying to give ICE a 140% increase in funding at the same time they're doing mass deportations, exiling citizens and permanently disappearing people to foreign prisons w/out trial
this is VERY REAL. it is part of their reconciliation bill that can be enacted even with all ds opposed
this is VERY REAL. it is part of their reconciliation bill that can be enacted even with all ds opposed
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
Andry José Hernández Romero, I remember you, even if I do not know how to articulate my horror, rage, & sorrow at your treatment by my government.
No one has heard from you in 43 days.
As vigil, I’m posting a photo of you every day until you are returned from El Salvador.
No one has heard from you in 43 days.
As vigil, I’m posting a photo of you every day until you are returned from El Salvador.
April 27, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Andry José Hernández Romero, I remember you, even if I do not know how to articulate my horror, rage, & sorrow at your treatment by my government.
No one has heard from you in 43 days.
As vigil, I’m posting a photo of you every day until you are returned from El Salvador.
No one has heard from you in 43 days.
As vigil, I’m posting a photo of you every day until you are returned from El Salvador.
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
Earth Day….
April 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Earth Day….
Shout it from the mountaintops, transit is safer than driving! For fatalities and crime. As we have seen from the federal government recently "transit is unsafe" is a narrative designed to defund transit, decrease ridership, and demonize transit riders. www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-p...
These Charts Explain Why Public Transit Is Safer Than Driving
The rates of fatal crashes and crime are both lower on public transportation than on roadways
www.scientificamerican.com
April 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Shout it from the mountaintops, transit is safer than driving! For fatalities and crime. As we have seen from the federal government recently "transit is unsafe" is a narrative designed to defund transit, decrease ridership, and demonize transit riders. www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-p...
Reposted by Laurel in Transit
Let me say this again:
If a president can illegally deport someone, conspire with that country’s leader to abandon them to human rights abuses, and face no consequences, we are in a hellish authoritarian moment. What a fucking evil, illiberal government this is.
If a president can illegally deport someone, conspire with that country’s leader to abandon them to human rights abuses, and face no consequences, we are in a hellish authoritarian moment. What a fucking evil, illiberal government this is.
April 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Let me say this again:
If a president can illegally deport someone, conspire with that country’s leader to abandon them to human rights abuses, and face no consequences, we are in a hellish authoritarian moment. What a fucking evil, illiberal government this is.
If a president can illegally deport someone, conspire with that country’s leader to abandon them to human rights abuses, and face no consequences, we are in a hellish authoritarian moment. What a fucking evil, illiberal government this is.