Washington, DC—Below is a statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran on pending bipartisan House legislation—BUILD America 250 Act—to renew the federal surface transportation law:
“The nation’s mayors commend House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) for their leadership in developing bipartisan legislation (BUILD America 250 Act) renewing the federal surface transportation law.
“This bipartisan initiative will keep the nation on track to achieving a more integrated and seamless surface transportation system that emphasizes greater safety, increased mobility and travel options, as well as enhanced commitments to local areas.
“By embracing ‘greater localism’ and placing more emphasis on mayors and other local decision-makers in guiding investment priorities, the BUILD America 250 Act acknowledges the growing role of locally owned transportation infrastructure in driving the U.S. economy and serving a larger share of the nation’s daily travel needs. This move toward greater local level involvement is certain to improve the quality of federally assisted transportation investment, yielding greater benefits for the public, businesses, local communities and the nation.
“The Conference fully supports the Committee leadership and its members as they move this legislation, and urges expanded commitments to local decision-making and local area funding to make this reauthorization even more impactful.”