Every time I see another spike in gas prices, I get concerned. Choosing between a bag of groceries and a tank of gas is never easy for anyone, especially when trying to make ends meet. I feel the same way when I read about transit fare increases or reduced routes for public transportation. For many, these changes can mean not getting to work on time or not arriving at all.
Energy, transportation, and environment (ETE) issues have emerged as some of the most important civil rights concerns of our time. Several studies have shown that communities of color and low-income families are particularly impacted. For example, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation reported that Black Americans “disproportionately bear” the health and economic effects of climate change due to issues such as poor air quality and infectious disease. Black communities suffer from higher levels of environmental pollutants and toxins that cause health conditions. Low and moderate income Americans spend double the portion of their income on transportation costs compared to higher income Americans, and Black Americans routinely face fewer public transportation options and longer commute times to work, school, or child care (despite being less likely to own a car).
Even with a firm understanding of ETE issues, their complexity and scale can lead to difficult choices for legislators. Many major ETE solutions require decades of planning and development, or even longer for communities that should reap the benefit of policy decisions. From a fiscal standpoint, ETE investments often involve significant capital investments. At a time when state budgets have never been tighter, large ETE proposals are easy targets. When our constituents face immediate needs like unemployment benefits, tax relief, or new schools, it becomes that much tougher to stand up for long-term ETE investments that can blow a hole through a carefully crafted budget, even if they result in major savings down the road.
Furthermore, these fiscal issues are compounded when our colleagues in Washington delay federal resources or pursue “one-size-fits-all” ETE laws and regulations. We find ourselves at an intergovernmental crossroads in ETE policy—balancing state sovereignty with important federal oversight.
Despite these challenges, ETE issues remain of critical importance, and NBCSL members have been at the forefront of these policies across the nation. As a body, NBCSL has ratified several ETE resolutions that get at the heart of issues our communities face. Since 2008, these 18 resolutions have ranged from tackling climate change, to developing a diverse portfolio of domestic energy sources, to improving our transportation infrastructure. The common thread of these resolutions is to ensure that all Americans are able to fully benefit from ETE polices that are safe, sustainable, and cost-efficient. NBCSL also recognizes that successful ETE policies are important engines of job creation, which if properly deployed, can lead to thousands of well-paying American jobs in communities of color. Finally, NBCSL resolutions call for collaboration and cooperation between federal and state lawmakers, so that we may together develop ETE polices that are in the best interest of consumers and job creators, alike, while guaranteeing the strongest protections for vulnerable Americans.
As a whole, NBCSL’s resolutions demonstrate the need for action in our states. Energy, transportation, and environmental troubles continue to plague our communities, and as Black state lawmakers, we must vigilantly address the distinct and emerging problems our constituents face.
ETE policies are not always easy or popular, but they are the engines that propel our nation. As such, it is important that Black state legislators work to ensure these policies promote fairness, equity, and opportunity for our communities. We must take time to fully discuss ETE policies in our statehouses, explain the details to our fellow lawmakers, and find the best solutions for our constituents. As with most topics there is no quick fix, but through supporting each other, sharing best practices, and working together, NBCSL members can stay ahead of the curve.
