Gov. Gregoire co-chairs key meeting on future of U.S. transportation system

For Immediate Release: February 24, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. � Gov. Chris Gregoire today co-chaired a meeting with South Dakota Gov. Michael Rounds on national transportation policy at the National Governors Association winter meeting. The governor co-chaired the committee meeting in Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm�s absence.

The committee meeting was the first opportunity to hear the views of the nation�s governors on the recommendations and proposed solutions issued by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. The commission was designated by Congress to study the nation�s current transportation conditions and future needs of the transportation system. The committee meeting was of particular importance as states face critical transportation funding needs due to reduced federal investments.

In her remarks opening the committee meeting, the governor stressed that a business as usual approach will not work when addressing future transportation needs.

�This is a defining moment for our nation�s transportation system and infrastructure,� Gregoire said in her opening statement. �The looming deficit in the federal Highway Trust Fund, worsening congestion, rapidly expanding freight movement and resulting delays, and concerns about our nation�s infrastructure � made real last August with the tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis - underscore the need to develop new solutions.�

The committee heard from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters as well as four members of the federal commission before engaging with them in a question and answer session.

Peters praised the governor�s innovative ideas to solve transportation problems in Washington state. Under Gregoire�s leadership 128 highway construction projects have been completed, 91 percent of these projects were completed on time and nearly as many on budget.

The governor addressed the importance of the nation�s transportation system to economic competitiveness.

�A comprehensive vision for our transportation system also ties to other policy objectives such as a cleaner, more efficient energy future and continued success in a competitive global economy,� Gregoire said. �Together, achieving these objectives can help create �green� jobs, develop cleaner cars, mitigate the effects of climate change, and grow our nation�s competitive economic position.�

In addition to Gregoire and Rounds, the governors of American Samoa, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and South Carolina participated in the committee meeting.

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