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Eau Claire County proclaims Transit Equity Day after heated debate over wording
Summary
The county board approved a proclamation recognizing Feb. 4, 2025 as Transit Equity Day and endorsing a local tradition honoring Rosa Parks, but a contentious debate over language describing transit inequities and 'equity' drew a 17–9 vote.
The Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors voted 17–9 on Jan. 21 to proclaim Feb. 4, 2025 as Transit Equity Day, endorsing a local tradition of placing a red rose on the front seat of each bus and paratransit van to mark Rosa Parks' birthday. The proclamation links Parks' 1955 protest to contemporary concerns about access to affordable and reliable public transit.
The measure was introduced as a proclamation and carried by Supervisor Schneider on behalf of the Committee on Administration. "This is yet another good example" of drawing attention to paratransit and accessibility issues, Schneider told the board.
Opponents argued the proclamation's text overstated causes of transit problems and improperly framed them as matters of systemic racism and equity. "The inference is that the problems with the public transit system is due to racism, and I really cannot agree with that at all," Supervisor Hoekstra said during debate, citing fare‑evasion reports as an example of a different problem affecting transit budgets. Supervisor Myron proposed narrowing the proclamation to remove broader language about economic and racial inequality and to recognize Parks' birthday without the additional policy assertions.
The board considered an amendment that would have excised multiple paragraphs that link transit funding, equity and climate strategy to contemporary civil rights aims. That amendment failed 10–16. The original proclamation then passed, 17–9.
Why it matters: The proclamation is symbolic rather than regulatory, but it signals the county’s support for local transit providers' efforts to increase access and to raise public awareness of transportation barriers faced by people with disabilities and low incomes. Supporters noted one specific disparity raised in committee: paratransit programs had been unable to offer free rides on a past election day when fixed‑route buses did, because of funding limitations.
The proclamation statements do not bind county spending or create new programs; supporters urged it as a public showing of support for transit access and for the Eau Claire Transit tradition of placing roses on buses on Parks’ birthday.
The motion was made by Supervisor Wilkie and seconded by Supervisor Jenkins.
