News Release

Event Recap: Maryland Chamber’s Inaugural Transportation Policy Forum

Dec 3, 2024

On Nov. 20, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Transportation Policy Forum at the University of Maryland, bringing together a diverse coalition of state legislators, transportation experts, business leaders, and community advocates to tackle the critical challenges facing our state's transportation infrastructure.

The Urgent Transportation Landscape

Our reason for hosting the forum: Maryland stands at a critical juncture. Our transportation networks are the economic lifeline connecting communities, businesses, and workers. Recent challenges — including the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse — have highlighted the critical role of transportation networks in linking communities, supporting businesses, and driving economic growth. But the challenges are deeper than isolated incidents. The current state of Maryland’s transportation system demands immediate attention:

Maryland ranks 45th nationally in road conditions
Only 70% of roads meet acceptable standards
The Transportation Trust Fund faces a $3.1 billion funding gap
Commuters in Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro areas experience some of the longest travel times in the country

Addressing Critical Challenges

At the forum, our speakers — all transportation and policy experts — discussed diverse insights, perspectives, root causes and potential solutions. Key insights from those conversations included:

Traditional revenue sources like gas taxes are no longer sufficient to meet infrastructure needs.
Toll increases, while politically sensitive, are being considered to bolster the Transportation Trust Fund.
A “vehicle-miles traveled” fee was discussed as a potential solution, charging drivers based on how much they drive to reduce reliance on gas taxes.
Lawmakers face difficult decisions that may have political ramifications but are necessary to prevent further strain on the transportation system.
Regionalized solutions, such as mass transit funding shifts, may relieve the state of some financial burdens
Balancing statewide transportation needs with regional approaches is critical. Should local regions manage their own systems? This remains a topic of debate.

A Collaborative Vision for Change

The forum was more than just a discussion — it was a collaborative effort to envision a stronger transportation future. From keynote addresses to panel discussions, the event showcased the power of cross-sector collaboration in addressing Maryland’s most pressing transportation issues. Together, we can pave the way for a resilient, efficient and forward-thinking transportation system.

Call to Action: Join the Conversation

Maryland's transportation future depends on active engagement from businesses, community leaders, and citizens. Here’s how you can get involved:

Stay informed about local and state transportation initiatives and sign up for Maryland Chamber of Commerce newsletters and Action Alerts.
Participate in Maryland Chamber policy committees to influence transportation and other policy conversations.
Advocate for infrastructure investments with local, state, and federal policymakers.
Join us for future events to stay connected and contribute to meaningful discussions.
Your involvement is vital in building a transportation system that works for everyone — now and in the future.

Speakers and Panels

The forum featured an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists who provided critical insights into Maryland's transportation challenges and opportunities:

Keynote: Lt. Governor Aruna Miller on The Future of Transportation in Maryland

Opening Remarks: Mary Kane (Maryland Chamber of Commerce), Mike Sakata (Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association) and Anya Malkov (Amazon)

Current Revenue and Infrastructure Challenges and Needs Panel: Moderated by Dave Smith of Martin Marietta, this panel focused on the diverse challenges related to transportation revenue shortfalls. Panelists included Senator Cory McCray, Deputy Majority Whip; Delegate Marc Korman, Chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee; Rocky Moretti, Director of Policy and Research at the National Transportation Research Group; and Frank Principe, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at UMD, and chair of the Maryland Commission on Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs.

Approaches to Revenue Shortfalls Panel: Moderated by Bryan Sears of Maryland Matters, this panel examined potential solutions to Maryland’s transportation funding crisis. Panelists included Paul Wiedefeld, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation; Delegate Vaughn Stewart, Chief Deputy Majority Whip; Cinzia Cirrillo, Director of the Center for MultiModal Mobility; and Andrey Yushkov, Senior Policy Analyst at the Tax Foundation.

Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse: Implications and Resilience Panel: Moderated by Mary Kane, this panel discussed impacts and lessons learned from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Panelists included Louis Campion, President and CEO of Maryland Motor Truck Association; Dana Moore, Senior Advisor for Key Bridge Response and Recovery for the City of Baltimore; Aaron Tomarchio, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Tradepoint Atlantic; and Jennifer Vey, Chief Strategy Officer for the Greater Baltimore Committee.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor: Amazon
Policy Panel Sponsors: Martin Marietta, Pohanka Automotive Group
Innovation Sponsor: Creative Information Technology, Inc. (CITI)
Supporting Sponsors: Auto Tag Connect, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Maryland Asphalt Association, The Purple Line Project
Partner Organizations: American Council of Engineering Companies of Maryland, Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association (MTBMA)