The Maryland Public Policy Institute (MPPI) thinks Marylanders deserve a real debate about the potential benefits and drawbacks of the Purple Line, a proposed $2.43 billion light rail extending from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County.

At a time when the state is facing structural deficits for years to come, getting the facts about a project that would cost Maryland taxpayers for generations is especially important. That is why MPPI asks members of Action Committee for Transit, who support the Purple Line and who plan to protest the event this evening, to instead buy tickets to attend.

“Shutting down a conversation about the best way to spend transportation dollars in Maryland helps no one,” said MPPI President Christopher B. Summers. “We welcome Purple Line supporters who would like to attend the event and look forward to a vigorous debate this evening that will lead to public policy that benefits the most residents of the state,” he added.

MPPI takes no position on any issue, and is neither pro-Purple Line nor anti-Purple line. Instead, our policy experts take positions.

The debate, to be held at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center at 8633 Colesville Road in Silver Spring starting at 6:15 p.m. this evening, will examine whether the Purple Line is the best way to reduce road congestion, achieve its ridership goals, and whether it is the most cost effective way to spend transportation dollars. Despite including small funding for the project in his first budget proposal, Gov. Larry Hogan has so far declined to commit to the project over the long term.

Debaters are Richard Parsons, vice chair of the Suburban Maryland Transportation Alliance and Randal O’Toole, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and visiting fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute.

Register Online at marylandpolicyforum.org.