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DOT Secretary Ray LaHood discussed “The Future of Surface Transportation” Feb. 21 during the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting in Washington, DC, at a session convened by the NGA Economic Development and Commerce Committee.

He described the ways states can shape national surface transportation policy and the consequences and opportunities for states from the delay in passing federal transportation authorization legislation.

LaHood reported on the successes of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on its first anniversary. Citing news reports from across the nation, he said: “The stimulus is working. It is employing good people across the country who would otherwise be out of work. And it is getting our nation's infrastructure back into the condition it ought to be in. And it shows that sometimes this great federal government of ours—despite its critics—gets it right.”

He added: “Happy birthday, Recovery Act. And thank you, America's governors, for helping us administer this historic stimulus in record time with record transparency.”

“To have a 21st-century economy, we must have a 21st-century transportation system,” said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, chair of the committee. “Federal laws for surface transportation programs and policies have expired and, while extensions help, long-term reform is needed to ensure projects employing Americans across the nation can move forward. America's future economic growth depends on transportation planning and investment—and the time for action is now.”

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, who also serves as committee vice chair, added: “Unfortunately for states, the extensions create planning and funding uncertainty. The spring construction season is almost here. Without long-term certainty about federal funding, state surface transportation projects are at risk. Not only does this have a negative effect on our transportation system, it also significantly limits the construction industry's ability to create new jobs.”

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