Governors to Outline 2016 Priorities at Press Club Jan. 7

Govs. Gary Herbert (R-Utah) and Terry McAuliffe (D-Va.) will specify priorities for states in 2016 at the National Press Club on Jan. 7.

The governors will be at the Press Club in Washington, D.C., to deliver the third annual “state of the states” address, presented by the National Governors Association.

In their address, the governors are expected to stress the need for additional investments in infrastructure. Over the years, many governors have called on federal lawmakers to pay greater attention to transportation issues.

The governors association in December praised the passage of a five-year federal highway law, noting, “The FAST Act not only provides long-term federal policy and funding predictability for surface transportation programs, but will enhance states’ ability to ensure the safe, efficient movement of the American people and the goods that help grow our economy.”

Despite the new law, several state departments of transportation say they continue to struggle to advance pertinent infrastructure projects, such as repairs to aging bridges and roads. Around the country, state DOTs rely on federal dollars for about half of what they spend on infrastructure projects.

The Press Club events begins at 10:30 a.m. ET.