Tuesday, August 17, 2010
(Issued from the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on August 16, 2010. Find original press release at: http://gov.ca.gov/speech/15808/)
Gov. Schwarzenegger and Gov. Rendell Discuss Importance of Infrastructure Investment as Part of Building America's Future Coalition
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Mechanical Diesel Facility in Commerce where they toured retrofitted locomotives as part of the Building America's Future coalition (BAF). The Governor discussed how California is investing in smart infrastructure upgrades that will help improve air quality and increase economic competitiveness.
“I have made investing in infrastructure a top priority in California because infrastructure is the key to continued prosperity,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Investment in our roads, bridges, highways and railways will lead to job creation and further our competitiveness in the global economy.”
In 2006, the Governor championed and voters approved $42 billion in infrastructure bond money to rebuild California’s roads, schools, parks, levees and housing. It is estimated that for every $1 billion in infrastructure spending 18,000 jobs are created.
“The investments in America's infrastructure have been some of the most successful aspects of the stimulus,” said Pennsylvania Governor Rendell. “Congress and the Obama administration should make additional infrastructure investment a priority to further improve our economic competitiveness and quality of life. I urge Congress to pass a robust and reformed transportation reauthorization bill to repair and modernize our rail, highways, transit and freight systems.”
In 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger joined Governor Rendell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to form BAF, which rallies support for a renewed federal commitment to fund America’s infrastructure needs with state partners. BAF is a national and bipartisan coalition dedicated to smart infrastructure investment and reform – energy systems, roads and bridges, mass transit, water and sewer systems, rail, ports, airports, levees and dams, schools and housing – to enhance the quality of life and safety of our communities, create jobs and economic growth, and promote energy independence.
# # #
For video, photos and transcript of the event, please click HERE.
For candid photos, please click HERE.
To view media coverage, please click HERE.
