MTC Votes to Reject Funding for Free Muni for Low-Income Youth

In a 7-8 vote, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission today rejected $4 million in funding for the free Muni for low-income youth pilot program.

After the vote, proponents chanted "shame on you" to the commission, according to the SF Chronicle.

"We were definitely very disappointed, especially with the kind of resources the MTC has and the other allocations they've been able to make without this level of struggle," said Jaron Browne, an organizer for POWER, which is leading the Free Muni for Youth campaign. "But there's no way we're stopping at this point."

Although Browne said "we hold everybody who voted against this accountable," the deciding vote seemed to come down to Commissioner Steve Kinsey of Marin County, who voted against the proposal despite previously indicating his support to organizers. Browne said Kinsey may have been confused about what the proposal entailed, though he didn't speak publicly at the meeting.

Update: Read more coverage from the SF Chronicle and SF Examiner.