(WASHINGTON)—Members of the news media are invited to cover what is expected to be a fierce policy debate about the future of federal investment in the nation’s highways and transit systems between two political heavy weights, former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist. Scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Friday, September 16, at Union Station in Washington, D.C., the event is being hosted by “National Journal,” and co-sponsored by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
In the backdrop of federal deficits and demands for fiscal restraint, Congress must also confront the state of America’s aging infrastructure and its impacts on the economy. The debate will examine whether current levels of taxation and spending are sustainable and explore the right transportation-related priorities for the Obama Administration and Congress in an era of record deficits. Following the debate, a panel of experts will share their views on possible solutions for improving the conditions and performance of the U.S. transportation network.
| WHAT: |
“National Journal” LIVE Debate: Battle for the Future - Infrastructure Investment and Spending versus Fiscal Restraint and Deficit Reduction |
| WHO: |
Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform vs. Ed Rendell, former Pennsylvania governor; moderated by Major Garrett and Fawn Johnson, “National Journal’s” congressional correspondent and transportation correspondent, respectively.
Experts panel: John S. Satagaj, president, Small Business Legislative Council; Tom Jensen, vice president of transportation policy, UPS; Ron Kirby, director of transportation planning, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments; and Jim Coon, chief of staff, House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure |
| WHEN: |
Friday, September 16, 2011
Registration: 8:00 a.m.
Program: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
RSVP: http://battleforthefuture.eventbrite.com/ |
| WHERE: |
Columbus Club at Union Station
50 Massachusetts Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. |
To access the debate through the live stream go to www.nationaljournal.com/events.Once you arrive at that page, there will be a “HAPPENING NOW” link at the top of the page that will take you to the specific event page: http://www.nationaljournal.com/events/event/63/ . This is where the live video player and the rolling twitter feed will appear.
# # #