TRANSIT CAUCUS marylandtransitcaucus.org ● @CaucusTransit [email protected]

On January 22, The Maryland Transit Caucus will hold a press conference to discuss priorities for the 2020 legislative session. The press conference will take place at Co-Chairs 10:45 AM in Room 150 of the Lowe House Office Building. The Maryland Transit Delegate Caucus is a group of legislators dedicated to advancing reliable and sustainable Senator Pam Beidle transportation options for Marylanders. Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo Senator Malcolm Augustine Delegate “The Transit Caucus does valuable work to prioritize mobility of people, not just cars Delegate as a solution to congestion,” said Delegate Marc Korman. “We believe that a solution to Maryland’s transportation and congestion issues is to invest in efficient Members public transportation such as commuter rail, bus rapid transit and Metro.” Delegate Delegate Sandy Bartlett Delegate “Maryland is the fourth most densely populated state in the nation with the second Delegate Alice Cain longest average commute time,” said Senator Malcolm Augustine. “To maintain Delegate Al Carr growth, a multifaceted approach to mobility is required and the significantly greater Delegate Delegate Paul Corderman passenger capacity of Public Transit versus individual cars is a significant part of the Delegate Brian Crosby solution.” Delegate Debra Davis Delegate “Reliable, safe, and frequent transit options have a leading role to play in nearly Delegate every indicator of our success as a state,” said Delegate Brooke Lierman. “From Senator Arthur Ellis Delegate Jessica Feldmark ensuring Marylanders can access jobs to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to Senator allowing all those who cannot drive to stay engaged in our communities, stabilizing Delegate Jim Gilchrist and expanding our public transit system is key.” Delegate Michelle Guyton Delegate At the press conference, the Transit Caucus will discuss the following six priority Delegate Shelly Hettleman Delegate Teri Hill bills: Delegate Delegate Transit Safety and Investment Act: Provides an average annual increase of $175 Delegate Arianna Kelly Delegate Ken Kerr million for Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)’s capital needs for the next six Delegate Mary Lehman years. Delegate Delegate P3 Oversight and Reform: Strengthens Maryland’s P3 laws to ensure oversight and Delegate Delegate Sara Love predictability to protect the financial and environmental health of the state. Delegate Delegate Pedestrian Safety Act: Increases minimum fines for traffic offenses related to Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk pedestrians, allots the entire revenue from each fine to the Pedestrian Safety Fund Delegate Senator Jim Rosapepe Delegate Electric Bus Transition Act: Requires the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Delegate Jared Solomon to transition its approximately 800 bus fleet to all electric over time, as the agency Delegate procures replacement buses. Delegate Vaughn Stewart Delegate Jen Terrasa Delegate Southern Maryland Transit Project: Requires the state to pay over the course of Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith several years for the final environmental planning phase of the Southern MD Rapid Delegate Alonzo Washington Transit Project. Senator Mary Washington Delegate Melissa Wells Delegate Western Maryland Transit Study: Requires the Maryland Dept. of Transportation Delegate to study the feasibility of expanding commuter rail service to Western Maryland via Senator Ronald Young the MARC Train line and/or currently inactive rail lines.

MARYLAND TRANSIT CAUCUS marylandtransitcaucus.org ● @CaucusTransit [email protected]

“I am thrilled to help lead our state’s first ever Transit Caucus and proud to release our priority legislation for 2020,” said Delegate Lierman. “These bills demonstrate that improving and expanding transit is a bipartisan issue that effects all parts of the state. I look forward to working with my fellow members in the House and Senate to pass these important bills and create a more vibrant and better connected state.”

Contact: Joseph Swit, Office of Delegate Marc Korman. [email protected] 301-858-3649

Danielle DiPietro, Office of Delegate Brooke Lierman. [email protected] 301-858-3319