April 24th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

A group of more than 25 governors, U.S. senators, and leaders of the U.S. House Problem Solvers Caucus convened in Annapolis to discuss ideas, initiatives, and proposals for a federal infrastructure and public investment package.

Democrats and Republicans at all levels of government agree that infrastructure should be a top national priority. Participants had a productive and substantive discussion of a range of proposals, including Governor Larry Hogan’s infrastructure initiative as chair of the National Governors Association, and the report of the Problem Solvers Caucus. Participants heard from experts and held discussions regarding the scope and size of any bipartisan infrastructure package, and potential funding and financing alternatives.

“Although we come from different parties and different levels of government, all of us are united in our commitment to bipartisan action to rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure,” said Governor Hogan. “I want to thank each and every one of these leaders for their willingness to come together in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation and explore ways that we can find common ground on this issue which is so fundamental to our economy, to our environment, and to our way of life.”

At the conclusion of the summit, participants encouraged federal infrastructure and public investment package discussions to be guided by the following principles:

• Developed and passed with the support of both Democrats and Republicans.
• Inclusive of physical and digital infrastructure. 
• Inclusive of investments in existing physical assets that make our communities more livable, and enable us to more safely and efficiently move people, water, energy and goods across America.
• Inclusive of investments in new physical assets, broadband, and energy technologies to position America to create good jobs and out-innovate our competitors around the globe in the 21st century.