It was a very good day Monday at Move LA's 8th Annual Transportation Conversation as 500 citizens of this great county talked with many of the leaders who will play influential roles in the decision about whether to put a $120 billion transportation sales tax measure on the ballot in November--and about what it can fund.

The keynote speakers--LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas (currently chair of Metro's board), LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, and USC Professor Manuel Pastor--all talked about the public transportation system that $120 billion can build and the opportunities it can create, including community improvements and jobs:

"Regional, rational and equitable is the way forward," said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas.

"Every new rail and bus rapid transit line has exceeded our expectations. We can't build rail cars fast enough," said Mayor Garcetti. "We really are becoming the infrastructure capital of the U.S."

Added Manuel Pastor: "Let's keep equity and justice at the center of LA's new transit future!"

There was a remarkable display of unity and optimism among all the business, labor, environmental and social justice leaders who spoke, suggesting that--to use Manuel Pastor's term--this investment can become a "sweet spot" that unites us all.