Minnesota

Minnesota's Equitable Economic Recovery Engagement

PolicyLink is partnering with ISAIAH, a faith-based state advocacy network, and the Organizing Apprenticeship Project (OAP), a state leader in racial, social and cultural justice, and other advocates in Minnesota to shape the implementation of federal transportation resources and programs included in the recently enacted $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). We are working together to maximize the gains for low-income people and communities of color, build strong coalitions at the local and state levels, and set the stage to influence other imminent regional, state, and federal policy decisions –in particular the federal transportation authorization.

PolicyLink is providing technical expertise, policy analysis, political strategy support, and media/communications support to ISAIAH, OAP and their partners. The three organizations are conducting a joint analysis of the impacts of ARRA transportation investments to date on low-income communities and communities of color in Minnesota.

PolicyLink will be training ISAIAH and OAP members on how to use the analysis, publishing the information in a report, and working to influence the remainder of the ARRA transportation funds and the upcoming transportation authorization to ensure investments benefit low-income people and people of color.