The Eno Center for Transportation does not endorse or oppose specific ballot measures. The information is provided for research and informational purposes only.
On November 3, in addition to the Presidential race and a slew of gubernatorial, state legislative, and mayoral elections, voters across the country will weigh in on dozens of transportation-related ballot measures. Among the major transportation measures on the ballot this year is a 1/8 cent sales tax measure in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. If passed, the measure will provide a dedicated revenue source to fund CalTrain service and equity investments to improve the system’s accessibility and affordability.
In this webinar, Seamus Murphy will provide an overview of the measure and detail how Caltrain would utilize the revenue stream if approved. Adina Levin will discuss advocacy efforts around the measure and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the dynamics of campaigning.
Speakers:
Seamus Murphy, Chief Communications Officer, San Mateo County Transit District
Adina Levin, Executive Director, Friends of Caltrain
Romic Aevaz, Policy Analyst, Eno Center for Transportation
Watch the Recording:
Seamus Murphy is the Chief Communications Officer for SamTrans, Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. Murphy oversees internal and external communications to all relevant audiences including agency employees; customers; the media; local communities and public officials at the local, state and federal levels.
Murphy has become a key player on the California Transit Association Executive and Legislative Committees and a crucial strategist in the efforts of the San Francisco region and the state to go forward with plans to accommodate statewide high-speed rail service on the Caltrain right-of-way. In 2009, Murphy was named one of the industry’s “Top 40 Under 40” by Mass Transit Magazine. Recognized widely for his passionate advocacy on behalf of an industry that has been the victim of constant struggles for adequate funding, Murphy shows a savvy ability to weave through the legislative thicket of state and federal governments and to convert elected officials and the public into transit advocates.
At a time when public support for transit is more critical than ever and when the issues of land use and transit funding and public perception of the industry are inextricably interwoven, Murphy brings a broad range of political and policy-related experience that is ideal for the circumstances the industry faces. Murphy serves on the Board of Directors for several local non-profit organizations including the Service League of San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Union Community Alliance and Sustainable San Mateo County.
Adina Levin is executive director and co-founder of Friends of Caltrain which supports successful modernization of Caltrain in the context of an integrated system of sustainable transportation. She is also Advocacy Director for Seamless Bay Area which provided education advocacy to bring about a seamlessly integrated transit system. She currently serves on the Menlo Park Transportation Commission, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Policy Advisory Council. She co-founded and served as VP Products at Socialtext, the pioneering enterprise social software suite which was acquired by Peoplefluent. Prior to Socialtext, she was VP Marketing at Rome Corporation and Senior Director of Strategy at Vignette Corporation. She has a BA in English Literature from Yale College.
