State, Local Government Groups ‘Stand Ready’ to Work on Infrastructure
Groups representing local transportation agencies, governors, county executives and mayors expressed their willingness to partner with federal officials on a measure that would result in long-term funding for infrastructure maintenance and construction projects.
In a statement issued Feb. 8, the groups said they “know firsthand the needs of our communities and invest in infrastructure accordingly. This includes roads and bridges, airports, waterways and ports, transit, passenger rail, water and sewer systems, public facilities, energy, broadband and telecommunications networks.”
Joint Statement on Infrastructure by Transport Topics on Scribd
“We must find the correct balance between federal, state and local investments and private sector partnerships. … We stand ready to work with our federal partners to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure,” added the groups, which included the National Association of Counties, National Governors Association, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
Their statement comes ahead of an announcement President Donald Trump is expected to deliver on infrastructure on Feb. 12. The president indicated infrastructure would top his legislative agenda for the year.
The upcoming announcement will coincide with the release of the White House’s fiscal 2019 funding request.
An outline the White House provided in 2017 called for relying on $200 billion from federal accounts and $800 billion from the private sector to fund projects over 10 years. There would be $25 billion for rural projects, while states would be given flexibility to toll on interstates.
