O'Malley on Obama's Call to Invest in U.S. Infrastructure and Schools

ANNAPOLIS (Dec. 6, 2008)—Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following statement in response to President-Elect Obama’s radio address on the economy and the need to invest in America’s infrastructure and schools.

“This week, we were reminded yet again of the challenges our national economy is facing and that we are not immune from those challenges here in Maryland.

“Over the last two years we have worked hard in Maryland to reduce spending, but also protect our priorities – like public education, school construction, making college more affordable and transportation – but our states need a strong federal partner to help get our national economy moving again and to rebuild America's infrastructure.

“In Maryland, like states throughout our country, we have identified millions of dollars in ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects that can be started almost immediately once federal funding is approved. We understand and welcome President-Elect Obama's call for states to ‘use or lose’ these federal funds quickly or risk losing them. As President-Elect Obama understands, not only would an infusion of funds help keep people employed and create new jobs, it would allow us to deliver infrastructure improvements that will last beyond the immediate economic crisis and benefit generations to come.”