Legislators and transportation industry leaders, including many OTA members, attended the Oregon Transportation Forum annual meeting today in Portland at the David Evans & Associates headquarters. 

OTA board members present included President Andi Howell from Sandy Area Metro, Vice President Tom Markgraf from Tri-Met, Past President Julie Brown from Rogue Valley Transit District, Pat Walsh from Lane Transit District, Julie Wilcke Pilmer from Ride Connection, and Suzanne Carlson from the ODOT Public Transportation Division. OTA staff present included executive director Patrick Sieng and government affairs director Drew Hagedorn. Other transit advocates in attendance included Miles Pengilly from Tri-Met, Tyler Janzen from Thorn Run Partners representing Tri-Met, Waylon Buchan from CFM Advocates representing Cherriots and Rogue Valley Transit District.

Senator Brian Boquist (I-Dallas), Senator Chris Gorsek (D-Troutdale), and Representative Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) made up the legislative panel to provide a preview to attendees of the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions. All three did not expect there to be any major transportation initiatives for the short session, but said there is a "big lift" for transportation advocates ahead of the 2025 session. 

Brown, who also chairs the Oregon Transportation Commission, also shared tidbits about her insight of the department, the state's funding challenges, and how we have to work together leading up to 2025. She was introduced by Hagedorn. Both are pictured above.

Attendees learned about transportation funding, electric vehicles, and also spent some time strategizing on how to prepare for a comprehensive funding package in the 2025 session.