IN FOCUS
by Matthew W. Daus, Esq. President, International Association of Transportation Regulators Distinguished Lecturer, University Transportation Research Center, Region 2 Contact: mdaus@windelsmarx.com • 156 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019 T. 212.237.1106 • F. 212.262.1215

UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH CENTER (UTRC) VOTER GUIDE AND REPORT ON NYC MAYORAL CANDIDATES' - TRANSPORTATION POLICY POSITIONS

By the time you read this column, Primary day, Tuesday, September 10, 2013, will have passed and voters around New York City (NYC) from both the Republican and Democratic parties will have made, at least, their initial selection fot their nominees for Mayor.

This year's primary contests include Republican Party
primary candidates:

1. Joe Lhota (past Metropolitan Transportation Authority - MTA Chair),

2. John Catsimatidis (Red Apple Group CEO), and

3. George McDonald (Doe Fund President).

Democratic Party candidates include:

1. Bill Thompson (former NYC Comptroller),

2. Christine Quinn (NYC Council Speaker),

3. Bill deBlasio (NYC Public Advocate),

4. John Liu (current NYC Comptroller),

5. Anthony Weiner (former U.S. Congress Member), and

6. Sal Albanese (former NYC Council Member).

It is quite possible that by the time you are reading this column a "run-off" election of the top two candidates for both primaries may be underway. It will be held three weeks later on Tuesday, October 1st.

Unfortunately, until the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) recently held a NYC Mayoral Candidates' Transportation Forum at Baruch College on June 19th, there was little or no conversation about transportation policy outside of whether the candidates are for or against bicycle lanes. Since that time, I believe, the UTRC forum has inspired most every candidate to issue comprehensive transportation policy plans and platforms.

The work of the UTRC in organizing the forum has already achieved its goal of getting the candidates and the media to cast a spotlight on transportation policy. Coverage of the event and a video of the event can be accessed at the following link:

www.windelsmarx.com/news_detail.cfm?id=288

As promised at the UTRC Mayoral Forum, the valuable ideas and positions of all candidates before, during and after the forum were carefully tracked, analyzed and set forth in detail in a final comprehensive report in preparation for the September 10, 2013 primary. The report can be accessed at:

www.utrc2.org/publications/nyc-mayoral-transportation-white-paper.

This seminal report will serve as a primer on transportation policy issues facing the next Mayor, as well as a reference tool for voters, the media, academics and others interested in transportation policy making and the future of NYC.

While we have received and continue to compile research and information on all of the candidates' records and policy positions, this report will only focus on the major candidates who are on the ballot for both the Democratic and Republican primary elections.

A sequel follow-up report will be prepared prior to the General Election scheduled for November 5, 2013 covering the updated and evolving positions of, not only the Democratic and Republican nominees, but also of the Independence Party and any other major independent candidates.

This report is, without question, the most comprehensive document on transportation policy covering the candidates' positions. However, it is by no means all encompassing. It is not realistically possible to compile each and every utterance, thought and statement of every candidate.

Candidate positions on issues strengthen and sometimes change in the heat of the campaign trail. This transpires throughout hundreds of forums, public appearances, press conferences, media interviews, and, for most of the candidates, long careers spent in public service advising and/or voting on legislation or rendering executive decisions involving transportation policy.

It is not reasonable to expect every candidate to form positions on each and every possible angle or issue that will or may arise when governing the city. It is not possible to expect a candidate to anticipate how he or she will be able to improve our transportation options and efficiency throughout his or her term in office. Simply put, we are better off with a document such as this, contributing to an exercise where the candidates are compelled to focus on transportation issues. They do so by exercising prudence, thoughtfulness, and relying on and agreeing to work with experts in the field such as our colleagues affiliated with the UTRC.

The structure of this report is based on the topics selected for the Mayoral Forum with additional categories and policy statements of candidates who both participated and did not participate in the event. The report is organized around the issues with a primer or brief history framing the debate, and then analyzing, explaining and comparing the positions of the various candidates in chart format.

As an appendix to the report, each candidate's biography and transportation policy plans and statements are set forth in a similar organizational framework, based on the forum topics, but with additional details and statements supporting each candidate's positions.

Finally, we have prepared a voter guide, chart or "transportation palm card" for those who intend to review and rely on the candidates' transportation policy positions prior to casting their ballots. Visit www.utrc2.org/publications/NYC-mayoral-transportation-palm-cards to download this palm card. Share it with your friends and colleagues. Take it with you to the polls as you decide who to vote for.

This simplified chart, with one page per primary election, is by no means entirely representative of the entire complexity of the subject matter or priorities of the candidates, but is intended as a guidepost for quick reference by voters. Voters are advised to read this report or media of the candidates' positions more fully before deciding.

The voter palm card focuses on some of the unique and new ideas each candidate has raised as part of his or her transportation plans. It also focuses on the topics that affect most commuters in the city and the issues most covered by the media.

I applaud all of the candidates who, regardless of whether we like them personally or agree with them on all issues, are working tirelessly around the clock and sacrificing their precious family, personal and business time to help our wonderful city become a better one. It is not easy running for office with the intense and unforgiving media scrutiny and morass of legal requirements, and the necessary foundation of both grass roots and economic support that must be garnered for the privilege of representing 8 million plus New Yorkers in the "Capital of the World." My point is that in an ever changing global environment, where we will be confronting aging infrastructure, climate change, equity challenges, increased commerce and tourism everywhere on the planet, including NYC, transportation policy is important and deserves our attention, focus and the consideration of voters.

The forum and the work surrounding this report has and continues to be a true exercise in a participatory and representative democracy, making a true difference by changing the debate, and generating useful and pragmatic ideas. So please, put transportation policies near the top of your voter wish list, and don’t forget to vote. The time is now!

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