Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), joined by Senate Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), as well as fellow Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen and nine other colleagues, has led a letter calling on Congressional leadership to include funding for local transportation in future coronavirus relief legislation. State and local governments, including state Departments of Transportation, have seen their revenues drop due to COVID-19. In order to create jobs and keep commuters safe, they need direct federal support.
“As you are aware,” the Senators wrote, “the impacts of this health and economic crisis have taken an incredible toll on our local governments who traditionally spend substantial portions of their budgets on infrastructure and their local workforce. We need to act swiftly to assist in making sure we can get the country back to work, back safely, and back on a solid economic footing. Transportation projects have shown the ability to promote economic growth, create jobs and help prepare communities for a safer future.”
BACKGROUND:
Since coming to the Senate, Senator Cortez Masto has consistently called for investments in transportation infrastructure that will provide good paying jobs, stimulate Nevada’s economy, and improve quality of life for Nevadans. This is especially urgent during the coronavirus pandemic, since state, local, and tribal governments cannot borrow to replace funds lost due to the economic downturn. This in turn has affected governments’ ability to provide services. Senator Cortez Masto has called for increased support to vital government programs during the pandemic.
These funding and policy requests are also endorsed by various organizations, including the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Development Organizations, the National Association of Regional Councils, and the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
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