Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) will join Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-8), the senior New York member on the on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in hosting a Transportation Priorities meeting focusing on the needs of the Western New York Region. The Transportation Priorities Meeting will be held at 10:30am on Monday, August 11, 2008.  The event will take place in the Medaille College Lecture Hall at 18 Agassiz Circle in Buffalo, New York. 

“Infrastructure investment is an essential component of revitalizing upstate New York,” said Congressman Higgins, also a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  “I am pleased to partner with Congressman Nadler, my downstate colleague in the House, to work toward advancing federal investment in projects that meet the future transportation needs of the Western New York community.”  

Congress will be reauthorizing SAFETEA-LU (The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act:  A Legacy for Users”) in 2009. 

"I am eager to learn about the transportation issues facing Buffalo and western New York," said Rep. Nadler.  "And, I am pleased to join Congressman Higgins as we hear directly from the key stakeholders in this region.  With the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU rapidly approaching, it is vital that we act so that all of New York gets its fair share of federal transportation programs, policies and projects.  We must ensure that we adequately invest in the transportation and infrastructure needs of our state."

The hearing will begin with a welcome from City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and a presentation by New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid Glynn. Transportation and elected leaders from Erie, Chautauqua and Niagara counties will participate in panel discussions about Western New York’s transportation future. 

Panel members will include:

• Erie County Executive Chris Collins
• Larry Meckler, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
• Hal Morse, Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council
• Tom DeSantis, Niagara Falls Senior Planner
• Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul            
• Niagara County Legislator Renae Kimble          
• Erie County Legislator Robert Reynolds             
• Assemblymember Sam Hoyt       
• Town of Hanover Supervisor Katherine Tampio
• Town of Somerset Supervisor Richard J. Meyers
• Wally Smith, Chair of Transportation Council
• Gladys Gifford, Citizens Regional Transit Corporation
• Bruce Becker, Empire State Passengers Association
• Donald Rychnowski, Souther Tier West RPD
• Kelley Dixon, Center for Transportation Excellence
• Kassie Janicki, Transportation Information Clearinghouse
• Maria Lehman, Transportation Systems
• Bob Skerker, Robinson Home Products
• Len DePrima, Fair Apportionment of Infrastructure Revenue (FAIR) Organization