While the recession in Colorado seems to be on the mend, the state still faces job loss: Colorado's job shortfall was estimated by the Economic Policy Institute to be 195,191 jobs in November 2009. As promoting the creation of good jobs has long been central to FRESC's mission, the current recession and recovery efforts provide unique challenges and opportunities for our work.
The national spotlight is on the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports' efforts to transform the broken port trucking system. On both coasts our partners have been key players in the fight to end the environmental degradation, health hazards and worker exploitation created by the port trucking industry.
Difficult economic times are providing unique challenges—and even greater demand—for the work of the Partnership for Working Families. Our Partners are seizing opportunities in communities across the country to make sure that available funding and new legislation helps to create family-sustaining jobs with career pathways. In other communities, we’re rallying allies to fight against reactionary, mean-spirited efforts to minimize or even reverse workers’ hard-won gains. Together, we are organizing our cities to look ahead and plan for a future of shared prosperity.
On October 20, 2009, the San Jose City Council approved two policies that together constitute one of the most comprehensive frameworks in the nation for controlling the outsourcing of local government functions and services to private contractors.
According to a recent survey, a majority of residents living in neighborhoods bordering the Port of Seattle believe trucks and other Port of Seattle operations are making them ill. As part of the Washington Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports, Puget Sound Sage conducted a door-to-door health survey over the course of the summer in the neighborhoods that border the Port of Seattle—Georgetown and South Park. On October 7, Sage reported back to the community and media concerning the findings of the survey. The data showed:
by David West, Puget Sound Sage
Puget Sound Sage’s year-long green jobs campaign reached two milestones today:
For years, the planning process in Anaheim has excluded the voices of low income, immigrant communities. As a result, Anaheim’s working families find themselves trapped in a perpetual cycle of poverty, as elected officials fail to address their concerns.
by Ben Boyce, New Economy Working Solutions
Imagine 500 acres in the middle of your neighborhood that could become anything you want it to be. That’s the scenario Georgia STAND-UP posed to over 150 community members at Fiske Elementary School in southwest Atlanta last August.
by Robin Kneich, FRESC: Good Jobs, Strong Communities
