LICA Welcomes DOT Commissioner at 2019 Fall Event
More than 150 members, partners, business leaders and officials joined LICA for our annual Fall Legislative Breakfast held October 18 at the de Seversky Mansion on the NYIT campus. LICA was proud to welcome NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez to the Island, marking her first official visit to our region in her new role. Executive Director Marc Herbst opened the program with a game-themed presentation which emphasized why "improving Long Island's infrastructure is no trivial pursuit". Herbst reviewed recent major regional projects that have been completed or are underway. However he also stressed the need for funding to continue maintaining and improving other critical Long Island infrastructure. Some of the issues our region faces include drainage problems and the need for additional sewers; excessive congestion in areas such as the Oakdale Merge and other parkway interchanges; and the need to finally complete stop-and-start projects such as Route 347. All legislators in attendance were then presented with a custom Long Island Infrastructure Edition of the game Trivial Pursuits.
Dr. Alison Premo Black, Sr. VP & Chief Economist at ARTBA, spoke next about some important trends and the many challenges our industry is facing at the state and federal level and the need for advocacy to continue at all levels of government, starting locally. The public portion of the program concluded with Commissioner Dominguez addressing the audience with an update from Albany and a recap of some of the transformative projects accomplished under Governor Andrew Cuomo's leadership.
Afterward, several key business, labor, and transportation leaders gathered for a roundtable discussion convened by the Commissioner, to help familiarize her with specific regional concerns and challenges. Those in attendance were pleased to have the opportunity for this friendly, open discussion. The Commissioner then left to attend meetings with both our County Executives for further information sharing. Be sure to view our photo gallery for complete coverage of the event and read more about it in the next LICA's Latest e-gram newsletter! Thank you again to our generous event sponsors: Edward Ehrbar, Grassi & Co., Haugland Group & Posillico.
