• Overview
• Agenda
• Speakers
• Reports
• Sponsors
• Results

Event Overview

Dates: August 7-9, 2008
Where: Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort

New Mexico’s transportation infrastructure is vital to the state’s economic prosperity and integral to the quality of life, health, and welfare of our citizens. Traditional funding has been well below the actual needs of maintaining a modern transportation system. Federal, state, and local investment in transportation represents less than 40% of the actual needs of the system creating a sense of urgency for states to seek alternative funding options. Both federal and state transportation revenue has not been sufficient to keep up with inflation, the rising cost of construction, and the demands for transportation services of a growing population. Without an increase in investment, our transportation system will become more congested and the condition of our transportation infrastructure will become less safe.

For these reasons, the New Mexico Department of Transportation and NewMARC hosted a three-day town hall to discuss sustainable funding to preserve and improve our highways, bridges, and public transportation options for the residents of New Mexico. Participants at the town hall developed recommendations that will impact the quality of life for all New Mexicans.  the event brought together a wide range of citizens from 33 communities and 20 counties in New Mexico. They came from rural and urban areas representing businesses, people with special transportation needs, and the interests of state and local governments; each with the common goal to meet the required preservation and expansion needs for a modern and sustainable transportation system.

Who Attended?

• State and local policymakers
• Community leaders and citizens
• Business leaders and managers
• People with special transportation interests (e.g., commuters, bicyclists, seniors, first responders, etc.)
• Technical specialists (e.g., transportation, economic development, finance, etc.)

What Happened at the Forum?

New Mexico First town halls are not typical conferences with hour after hour of presentations. A few guest speakers help set the context, but the bulk of the town hall is comprised of small group discussions among people who care about the topic.

Prior to the town hall, participants received a background report. The report provided valuable information on anticipated transportation needs, described the reasons for concern, and outlined potential funding strategies. The report served as the basis for the discussions held during the town hall.

New Mexico First was chosen to facilitate the town hall. Using their proven consensus-building process, the three-day event asked participants to share their best ideas for sustaining our state’s investment in its transportation infrastructure. On day one of the town hall, participants were divided into small groups to discuss the key transportation funding issues that face their communities. On day two, participants began refining and synthesizing their conclusions. By noon on day three, participants developed concrete, actionable recommendations for state and local leaders and policymakers.