SMART Local 0023

08/07/2026

I’m proud to announce that Governor Newsom has signed my bill, AB 1919, into law! This gives Santa Cruz METRO voters the authority to fund transit through a citizens’ initiative, putting funding decisions directly in the hands of the riders who rely on their services every day.

Reliable public transit is essential for our community, and this bill ensures riders have a real voice in shaping METRO’s future. Thank you to everyone who supported this effort along the way!

08/04/2026

07/30/2026

🚌🎉 WE DID IT! After months of farmers markets, door knocking, events, and incredible community effort — we've collected enough signatures to submit our petition to Santa Cruz County!
Come celebrate with us this Monday, August 3rd at 4:30 PM at Woodstock's Pizza in Downtown Santa Cruz. And if you still have petition sheets — bring them, it's your last chance to turn them in!
To every single volunteer who gave their time and energy to this campaign: THANK YOU. This happened because of you. 🙌

05/15/2026

5,500 more signatures are needed to protect Santa Cruz METRO funding, preserve more than 100 union jobs, and maintain critical transit services for working families. Read on to learn how SMART-TD members can help keep the campaign moving forward. https://www.smart-union.org/we-have-the-power-to-protect-jobs-in-santa-cruz/

04/09/2026

With the transit funding crisis affecting cities across the country, one group in California is already working to place a measure on the November ballot that would secure local funding for Santa Cruz METRO and retain the quality service that residents have come to know and expect in recent years. Read on to learn more about the measure and what’s at risk if the funds disappear. https://www.smart-union.org/tackling-the-transit-funding-crisis-at-the-grassroots-level/

04/03/2026

http://www.friendsofscmetro.org/

Friends of Santa Cruz METRO,

We just broke *4,000* signatures reported! That’s a huge milestone and a direct result of the time, energy, and conversations each of you has put in. Thank you for showing up and making this happen.

Right now we’re at *4,377* signatures reported, and we need *6,000 more by May 11th.* That’s a big push but it’s absolutely doable if we stay focused and work together.

Here’s what that looks like day-to-day:

If we have about *40 days left* , that means we need:

* *150 signatures per day total*

Broken down further:

* If 50 volunteers are active → just 3 signatures per person per day
* If 30 volunteers are active → 5 signatures per person per day
* If 20 volunteers are active → 8 signatures per person per day

Multiply our impact:

* If each of us recruits just 1 more person, we instantly double our reach—making those daily numbers even easier.
* If each person brings in 2 people, we triple our impact and can hit 6,000 well ahead of schedule.
* Make sure new recruits get on our volunteer sign-up list. Here is the link:
https://forms.gle/tARAQp35L2FHPfEH8

Other ways to hit the goal:

* 100 volunteers × 60 signatures each = 6,000
* 75 volunteers × 80 signatures each = 6,000
* 50 volunteers × 120 signatures each = 6,000

We also have a new volunteer survey where you can report where you’re collecting signatures. Please use these tools to maximize your time out there!

Here is the survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvmNesjBC1ILoVd4mguM-8zTr0xV1cbu-LAfJ3jq6hGGWNSw/viewform

Action items:

* Please check your current signature count and make sure it matches what we have on file
* Signature count here:
*https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_tqRLoOCAlBPDmRYZ4f6Y-_knUwl4wYyp44G_K4KLwU/edit?gid=0 =0
* Text your updated count to 831-247-0400
* Turn in your completed petitions as soon as possible so we can keep accurate totals

Every conversation matters. Every signature moves us closer to better-funded public transportation for our communities.

We’ve already proven what we can do by breaking 4,000—now it’s about consistency, teamwork, and finishing strong. A few signatures a day adds up fast.

Here is the latest training document that has many of our resources:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uqfFm6W8D2ObeiUeN3X7ZCIAMc5gPLBiKdWC5e9phDo/edit?usp=sharing

Let’s go get the next 6,000!

WE GOT THIS!