Public Transit Leaders Convene in Washington to Push for Transportation Authorization

Nearly 600 public transportation leaders will convene in Washington, D.C. at the 2012 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Legislative Conference at the JW Marriott Hotel from March 12-13, to address the need for a well-funded, multi-year surface transportation authorization bill. A variety of other topics will be discussed, including: authorization, jobs, and new opportunities in 2012. The public transit leaders will spend Tuesday and Wednesday on Capitol Hill lobbying their congressional representatives.

The 2012 Legislative Conference will feature esteemed transportation leaders including: Ray LaHood, secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation; Peter M. Rogoff, administrator, Federal Transit Administration; Joseph C. Szabo, administrator, Federal Railroad Administration; and The Honorable Robert F. "Bob" Bennett, former senator, United States Senate, (R-UT).

What
2012 APTA Legislative Conference

Where
JW Marriott Hotel
1331 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC

When
Monday, March 12 - Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Events
Some conference events are highlighted below

Monday, March 12
7:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Salons I & II
Ballroom Level

BREAKFAST
The "Insider" Perspective for the Transit Industry
Start your day off by gaining high-level policy insights on a hot topic at this sit-down breakfast.
Presiding:

• Charles R. Wochele, chair, APTA Business Member Board of Governors; vice chair, APTA High Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Committee; and vice president, industry & government relations, ALSTOM Transportation Inc., West Henrietta, N.Y.

Speaker:

• The Honorable Robert F. "Bob" Bennett, former senator, United States Senate, (R-UT)

9 – 10:15 a.m.
Salons III & IV
Ballroom Level

Opening General Session: What's Ahead for Transit- -New Opportunities in 2012
After welcoming remarks from APTA leadership, U.S. Department of Transportation SecretaryRay LaHood will deliver a special keynote address that will provide insight into the
Administrations transportation priorities.

Presiding:

• Gary C. Thomas, chair, APTA, and president/executive director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Dallas, Texas

President's Welcome:

• Michael P. Melaniphy, president and CEO, APTA

Remarks from APTA Chair:

• Gary C. Thomas, chair, APTA, and president/executive director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Dallas, Texas

Featured Speaker:

• The Honorable Ray LaHood, secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.

Presentation by American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF):

• Bonnie D. Shepherd, chair, American Public Transportation Foundation, and vice president, Northeast Transportation, Hatch Mott MacDonald, Rockville, Md.
• Robert H. Prince, Jr., board member, American Public Transportation Foundation, and vice president, AECOM Transportation, Boston, Mass.

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Salons III & IV
Ballroom Level

General Session: View from the Hill
Hear directly from key congressional staff on how the U.S. Senators and Representatives theywork for are addressing transit issues. Issues to be discussed include authorization, jobs,
rail transit safety, and climate change.
Moderator:

• Richard J. Bacigalupo, vice chair, APTA Federal Procedures and Regulatory Subcommittee, and federal relations manager, Orange County Transportation Authority, Orange, Calif.

Panelists:

• Homer Carlisle, majority professional staff member, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.
• Shannon Hines, minority senior professional staff member, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.
• Jim Tymon, majority staff director, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Materials, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
• Helena Zyblikewycz, minority professional staff member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

1:45 – 3:15 p.m.
Salons III & IV
Ballroom Level

General Session: Update from U.S. DOT
Important program updates and initiatives will be discussed, along with discussion of a long-term
authorization bill.
Moderator:

• Diana C. Mendes, AICP, vice chair, APTA Legislative Committee, and senior vice president, director of strategic investments for transportation, AECOM, Arlington, Va.

Featured Speakers:

• The Honorable Peter M. Rogoff, administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, D.C.
• The Honorable Joseph C. Szabo, administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, D.C.

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Salons III & IV
Ballroom Level

General Session: The Transit Coalition: Partners in Transportation Authorization
Join representatives of stakeholders in the authorization process as they discuss how their organizations are advocating for a long-term authorization bill.
Moderator:

• Ronald L. Epstein, chair, APTA, Finance and Tax Policy Subcommittees, and chief financial officer, New York State Department of Transportation, Albany, N.Y.

Panelists:

• John Horsley, executive director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Washington, D.C.
• Janet F. Kavinoky, executive director, Congressional and Public Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and vice president, Americans for Transportation Mobility, Washington, D.C.
• Dale J. Marsico, CCTM, executive director, Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), Washington, D.C. (invited)
• Dave Bauer, senior vice president, government relations, The American Road & Transportation Builders Association, Washington, D.C.
• Jeffrey Soth, assistant director, Department of Legislative and Political Affairs, International Union of Operating Engineers, Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, March 15

More program information to follow.

For a complete conference schedule visit www.apta.com.

*** Registration for the media is FREE! Fax in registration by Wednesday COB. When filling out the registration form, cross out the registration fees and write in media. If registering after COB on Wednesday, bring your media credentials to register onsite starting Monday, March 12. The APTA Media Center will be located in the Treasury Room at the JW Marriott. ***