High Road Strategy Center

This #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we’re spotlighting our Equity in Apprenticeship website, which features a policy brief and report series! This three-part series showcases innovative programs that use apprenticeship to open doors for historically marginalized groups, especially people of color and women. ?? Health Care Pathways in LA: The Worker Education and Resource Center (WERC) creates apprenticeship opportunities tailored to LA’s diverse patient populations. ?? Manufacturing Pathways in Milwaukee: A collaboration between labor and management leaders, the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) program builds skills and equity in the manufacturing sector. ?? Equity from the Frontline in California: The South Bay Valley Transportation Authority’s Joint Workforce Investment fosters apprenticeships and career advancement in transit. These case studies span industries and geographies, highlighting practical solutions for workforce equity. We’re proud to contribute to advancing opportunities for all. Read the full reports here: https://lnkd.in/ga_Hnk77 #HighRoad #Equity #Apprenticeship

?Team Member Spotlight? Meet Chris McCahill, a key team member here at High Road Strategy Center! __ ? - What brought you to the High Road Strategy Center? I joined in 2013, not long after earning my PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut. I was excited to move to Madison and help shape national transportation policy through the State Smart Transportation Initiative. ? - What does the “High Road” mean to you? Ironically, the “High Road” is about more than roads—it’s about investing in sidewalks, bike facilities, and public transit to give everyone more choices in how they travel. Everyone should have clean, safe, and dignified ways to get around, whether or not they can drive. ? - What’s your favorite part about this job? Working with some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated public officials in the country is inspiring. It’s one thing to be an expert in a field, but seeing people turn that knowledge into real, on-the-ground change is especially rewarding. ? - What’s something you’re passionate about? I’m passionate about building a connected, supportive community. People-centered transportation and thoughtful urban design play a big role in making that happen. ? - What are some of your favorite hobbies or interests outside of work? When I’m not biking around Madison and catching up with friends and neighbors, I enjoy exploring new cities, camping, going to live music events, and diving into a nerdy book. … Keep up the great work, Chris! #TeamMemberAppreciation #HighRoad

?Team Member Spotlight? Meet Quincy Midthun, an integral member of our team here at High Road Strategy Center! __ ? - What brought you to the High Road Strategy Center? I was a sociology student at UW-Madison, and I applied for a student hourly position at the High Road Strategy Center (then known as COWS) after I saw it advertised in a newsletter. I worked at the Center as a program support specialist during my senior year of college, and after I graduated, they had an opening for a full-time position and the rest is history ??. ? - What does the “High Road” mean to you? It’s hard to say in just a few sentences, but to me, the “High Road” is a vision for the places we want to live, work, and play in. High Road cities are safe, inclusive, healthy, and affordable —where people have access to things that they need to thrive, including healthcare, transportation, and high-quality jobs. To get there, we need leaders to enact policies that are designed to uplift vulnerable populations and protect the planet. ? - What’s your favorite part about this job? My favorite part of this job is the variety of things I get to do and projects I get to work on. With this being my first job out of college, I really value having a wide range of experiences so that I can learn and develop skills. In this role I’ve had opportunities to meet a lot of amazing people in the policy world, write policy memos, participate in policy research, learn about fundraising, and even do some graphic design. It’s been a privilege to start my career at an organization and on a team that shares my values and is so dedicated to finding and implementing solutions. ? - What’s something you’re passionate about? Something I’m passionate about is lifelong learning. I’ve always liked to try new things and travel to new places. I’ve enjoyed continuing to work on campus after graduation because there are always interesting things happening and great speakers presenting. ? - What are some of your favorite hobbies or interests outside of work? Outside of work I like to spend time with my friends and family, play pickleball, crochet, and read. I especially love spending time up north with my family in the summer. I also like to listen to music, some of my favorite artists right now are Ethel Cain and Charli xcx. … Thanks, Quincy! You’re awesome! #TeamMemberAppreciation #HighRoad

We are so very excited to invite you to join us Wednesday, Jan. 15 - Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Washington D.C. for the Mayors Innovation Project Winter Policy Meeting! This year we’ll be celebrating our 20th Anniversary, and we’re more committed than ever to centering our values of equity, sustainability, and democracy in city policymaking. We invite you to celebrate 20 years of MIP by joining us for two days of networking and policy sessions designed to send you home with fresh ideas and new friends and partners to support you. This year’s conference will include discussions on climate resilient infrastructure, creating inclusive and welcoming communities, reducing barriers to community wealth building, and a special workshop on improving mayor-council communications. We’ll also host a briefing on the results of our 2024 research project, summarizing the top challenges and opportunities that mayors shared with us and the ways our network is working to meet those challenges. Learn more and register today: https://bit.ly/MIP-W25!

In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians tragically lost their lives, according to the latest federal data. Over the past decade, pedestrian fatalities have been steadily rising, largely due to road designs that prioritize fast-moving traffic over pedestrian safety. This crisis disproportionately impacts certain members of our communities—older adults, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, etc. We must do more to protect all communities from these avoidable tragedies. Visit SSTI.us to learn how we can advocate for safer streets and stronger communities. ??: https://lnkd.in/gwzXed_z #PedestrianSafety?#SafeStreets?#RoadDesign

This month ProGov21 is covering #water! ?? Municipalities across the US are in dire need of updated infrastructure to ensure all residents have access to clean water. However, revamping water systems are expensive, and local governments must consider their most vulnerable residents when distributing costs. This month's featured policy, model ordinance, and policy roadmap provide strategies for keeping water systems safe and affordable. Featured Policy: Private water companies threaten access to sustainable and affordable water.?In the Public Interest’s 2024 report exposes the political and acquisition strategies of private water companies and lays the framework for policymakers and advocates to push back against these entities. Check out the full report here → https://lnkd.in/gxHxbRy9 to learn how local governments can fight against the privatization of water resources. Model Ordinance: It is vital that individuals have access to safe and non-hazardous water. In 2018, New York City Council passed a Building Water Management Law that requires building owners to provide tenants with water filtration methods certified to reduce lead concentrations, or take a sample annually from each fixture that supplies water for drinking or cooking purposes to be analyzed for lead, and provide the results of the test to the tenant. Check out the ordinance here → https://lnkd.in/g2937AFG. Policy Roadmap: This month's roadmap by Griffin Beronio and Diana McFarland provides strategies and best practices for local leaders to improve water infrastructure while ensuring that rates stay affordable, including customer assistance programs, stormwater management, and wastewater reclamation. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gfbcSCgX. Want more resources on water systems? Check out our library with thousands of documents from over 100 unique contributors: https://lnkd.in/e8SerQcE!

October is #PedestrianSafetyMonth! Whether walking or biking, everyone deserves to feel safe on our roads. Visit SSTI.us and MayorsInnovation.org this month to get all the latest blogs & updates to help advance pedestrian safety. #SaferStreets

???? Tomorrow is National Public Lands Day! ???? Quality parks and greenspaces are essential for building a brighter, more sustainable future. Celebrate by exploring ProGov21's Land Use Roadmap. This guide dives into key concepts of public space management and land use policies that shape the availability and quality of our urban and suburban parks and greenspaces. Learn how you can support a high road future through better land use practices. ??? https://bit.ly/3XKWsWw #NationalPublicLandsDay #PublicSpaces #LandUse #ProGov21

Webinar alert! Discover how state DOTs can drive the future of intercity bus service and improve connectivity between rural and urban areas. Join experts from The Chaddick Institute and Colorado DOT to gain valuable insights and strategies. Register now for our September 25th webinar and earn one AICP credit! ???? https://buff.ly/3Xjbp0C #Mobility #TransportationPlanning #Sustainability #StateDOT

A?new report?showed income inequality in #Wisconsin is declining as lower-wage workers are seeing faster wage growth but Black, Latino and women workers still lag behind. A study by the High Road Strategy Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found the state's job market hit record levels in the second quarter and the inflation-adjusted median hourly wage has increased by 97 cents. Laura Dresser, associate director of the High Road Strategy Center at the University of Wisconsin Madison and the report's co-author, said the increase in the median wage is just making up for the period inflation ran ahead of earnings in 2022. "In these last five years, lower-wage workers have seen their wages go up by 8%," Dresser reported. "In terms of purchasing power, real value, and high-wage workers have only had wages go up about 1%." The State of Working Wisconsin 2024 report noted the number of jobs in Wisconsin has topped 3 million and unemployment remained steady at 3%. The study also found the rate of unionized workers in Wisconsin dropped by one-third between 2011 and 2023, the steepest decline in union membership across the Midwest region. Despite the increase in wages, the report said significant wage gaps remain between white men and workers who are Black, Latino or female. Dresser pointed out Latinos earn about 33% less, Black workers make 25% less, and white women's pay lags 16% behind in the workplace. "When you focus on improving the quality of jobs, especially at the bottom of the labor market, you also are looking to close racial and gender gaps in wages," Dresser explained. "Because it is Black and brown and women workers who are dominant in lower-wage jobs." The report made some recommendations for Wisconsin lawmakers. It suggested raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour to help close the pay gap, rolling back the state's so-called "right to work" laws to restore union rights and increasing investments in child care and education to provide relief for families and employers.