Peralta Board Supports the 99%

photo from Occupy Oakland- we are the 99%

How can progressive elected officials help built the 99% movement? At the November 15, 2011 Peralta Board meeting, Trustee Abel Guillen and I presented a resolution to divest our financial assets from for-profit corporate banks and to move our banking to Coop and Community Banks. I’m thrilled to report that our resolution passed unanimously!

I view this as a perfect example of the kind of advocacy elected officials can engage in– good progressive public policy that supports and mirrors the work being done through progressive grassroots organizing. Imagine what kind of powerful movement we could build if EVERY elected official in the East Bay and throughout the state and nation began to align the use of our public resources with the needs of the 99% while simultaneously supporting popular efforts to organize and to empower regular people?  Continue reading →

New Law Lowers Transit Costs for Community College Students (AP NewsWire)

(repost of a CBS5.com article via AP NewsWire)

Peralta Community College District officials held a news conference today at Laney College in Oakland to discuss a new law they estimate will save some students more than $1,200 per year in transportation costs.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 1980, a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, D-Oakland, into law on July 18, allowing school officials to set up the “AC Transit EasyPass”, a program that will give students discounts on Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District buses. Continue reading →

Students Vote for Discount Transit Passes

(reposted from a Press Release from Assembly Member Sandré Swanson’s website. Original article by Semaj D. La Niger for the Laney Tower)

Students of the Peralta Colleges were joined by Assembly Member Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland) as well as Peralta and AC Transit officials to celebrate the passage of AB 1980, the Peralta Colleges Transportation Accessibility Act July 24 at Laney College. The bill was signed into law by governor Schwarzenegger last week.

“At a time of rising gas prices, this bill will bring economic relief for hardworking students,” said Swanson, an alumnus and former student body president of Laney College. “It will also contribute to a greener economy and healthier environment by taking more cars off the road.” Continue reading →