Schedule at a Glance
12:30PM - Keynote: What can Wisconsin Learn from Illinois’ Big Transit Win?
1:15PM - Fireside Chat: The Present and Future of Milwaukee Transit
2:15PM - Panel Discussion: Charting Transit Policy at the State Level
3:00PM - Panel Discussion: Effective Advocacy Strategies
3:45PM - Special Announcement. A new grassroots coalition for transit in Wisconsin
summit agenda
Welcome
Dave Steele, MobiliSE Executive Director
Special Guest: Wisconsin State Senator LaTonya Johnson
Keynote: What Can Wisconsin Learn from Illinois’ Big Transit Win?
Amy Rynell, Active Transportation Alliance
In 2025, Illinois advocates achieved a groundbreaking transit funding and reform package. How did they do it? What can we learn from their experience?
Hear from one of the leaders of Illinois’ successful campaign with the inside scoop of what it takes to reimagine transit funding in the 21st century.
Fireside Chat: The Present and Future of Milwaukee Transit
Steve Fuentes, President & CEO, Milwaukee County Transit System
Joe Lamers, Director, Milwaukee County Department of Transportation
Moderated by Dave Steele, MobiliSE Executive Director
Milwaukee County Transit System is the State’s largest transit agency, providing over 25 million rides per year across Milwaukee County.
In this “fireside chat,” we’ll hear from the two key leaders about what to expect in the near term, plans for funding, and what the long term future holds for this vital community institution.
Panel Discussion: Charting Transit Policy at the State Level
Tyler Byrnes, Wisconsin Policy Forum
Trevor Jung, City of Racine
Jennifer Sarnecki, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Moderator:
Cinthia Tellez Silva, Michael Baker, Chair, MobiliSE Transit Advocacy Steering Committee
Wisconsin is an outlier in terms of how transportation, and public transit, is funded. Hear from a panel of transportation policy experts about how State policy impacts local transit systems and which State policies are of the highest priority for transit advocates.
Panel Discussion: Effective Advocacy Strategies
Kirsten Finn, Wisconsin Bicycle Federation
Debby Jackson, TDA Wisconsin
Micheál Podgers, Climate Cabinet
Moderator:
Raphie Torralba, 1000 Frends of Wisconsin
Learn from the experts who know how to get things done in the State Capitol, working across the aisle and gaining meaningful, lasting support for alternative transportation in urban, suburban and rural communities. We’ll hear about the “unwritten rules” of the legislature, the power of stories, and more.
Panel Discussion: Effective Advocacy Strategies
Kirsten Finn, Wisconsin Bicycle Federation
Debby Jackson, TDA Wisconsin
Micheál Podgers, Climate Cabinet
Moderator:
Raphie Torralba, 1000 Frends of Wisconsin
Learn from the experts who know how to get things done in the State Capitol, working across the aisle and gaining meaningful, lasting support for alternative transportation in urban, suburban and rural communities. We’ll hear about the “unwritten rules” of the legislature, the power of stories, and more.
Special Announcement: A New Grassroots Coalition for Transit
Claire Enders, Milwaukee County Aging and Disabilities Services
Cinthia Téllez Silva, Michael Baker International
Co-Chairs, MobiliSE Transit Advocacy Steering Committee
We’re excited to officially launch a broad-based, community led effort to advocate for transit in SE Wisconsin and throughout the State. Find out the goals and strategies of the new coalition, and how you can get involved.
Closing and Next Steps
Dave Steele, Executive Director, MobiliSE
As our afternoon comes to a close, hear how we will continue to build momentum and help build a transportation future that our region, and State, deserve.
