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DAUS HELPS SELECT NEW DOT AND TLC COMMISSIONERSI was honored when chosen by NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio to participate in his transition process for the identification and selection of Commissioners from several city agencies. I was appointed as a member of the Transition Sub-Committee for the Environment, Resiliency, Public Space, Transportation and Infrastructure, and helped screen and identify talented and progressive Commissioner candidates for several agencies, including:
As one of the few transportation experts involved, and the only committee member with for-hire ground transportation regulatory and academic experience, I felt as if I was sitting in the “driver’s seat” approaching a progressive landscape The first Commissioner we helped select, and who was appointed by the Mayor, was our new DOT Commissioner, Polly Trottenberg, the former Under Secretary for Transportation of Policy at the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). Commissioner Trottenberg brings a wealth of experience to the position, including high level positions and transportation experience from not just the U.S. DOT, but also from the Port Authority of NY & NJ and the U.S. Senate. Commissioner Trottenberg has extensive experience in infrastructure, transportation management, transportation funding at every level, and supports progressive initiatives to create livable cities and sustainable communities. Consistent with the Mayor’s “Vision Zero” priority for passenger and pedestrian safety, Commissioner Trottenberg has promised to improve NYC’s road and bridge infrastructure, improve high speed bus service, and focus on service improvements in all 5 boroughs that are accessible for all. I have already discussed several of the problems and transportation issues facing NYC with Commissioner Trottenberg directly, and I look forward to working with her and supporting her every step of the way. The position I was obviously most involved in was the Mayor’s nomination of the new Commissioner and Chair of the Taxi Limousine Commission. Having served at the TLC for about 14 years, as Commissioner/Chair/CEO for almost 9 years and as General Counsel and attorney for about 5 years, I was able to identify the unique skill set and experience needed to successfully lead this agency onto a new path. In my view, the required skill set for this position involves:
After practicing at a prominent law firm, she served the City of New York as an Inspector General at the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) to ensure and promote the integrity of City government. When she left DOI to become the First Deputy Executive Director at the Civilian Complaint Review Board, she was called upon to help manage a government agency dealing with sensitive and important issues for both the public and law enforcement alike. Then, when she joined TLC as General Counsel, she managed the myriad legal affairs of an agency that she will now lead. I have known Ms. Joshi to be fair, smart and even tempered with industry stakeholders, and she truly understands the many complex regulations, policy issues and nuances which must be skillfully navigated to ensure a smooth transition. Our new TLC Commissioner/Chair in some way needs to get back to basics and hit the “regulatory re-set button.” Less time should be focused on changing a transportation paradigm that works, or upsetting the longstanding historical balance of business and economic interests among regulated industries. Instead, I recommend that our new TLC Chair focus exclusively and primarily on saving lives and preventing injuries which the TLC has the power to do through:
The TLC will continue to also share and participate in the IATR’s educational, research and advocacy activities that form the basis for our non-profit endeavors, representing government entities at every level of the regulatory stratosphere at a time of tremendous budgetary constraints and disruptive market forces. I am also pleased to announce that the University Transportation Research Center for the City University of New York at City College (Region 2 – NY, NJ and Puerto Rico) has officially formed a Transportation Policy Coalition (TPC) comprised of former high ranking transportation officials, academics and key stakeholders. Our coalition was formed following the successful Mayoral Transportation Forum the UTRC held at Baruch College in 2013 (http://www.windelsmarx.com/news_detail.cfm?id=288), and following the extensive reports issued involving the Mayoral Election (http://www.utrc2.org/sites/default/files/pubs/Revised-Report-Final.pdf). The TPC includes:
Without question, we are progressing towards a new transportation policy paradigm, and it is exciting to be a part of this movement.
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