Political Quotes

“Recently I visited the Newberg-Dundee bypass, a highway construction project in my district that will divert traffic around two small communities that are thriving but choked with congestion. Once completed, local residents and visitors will no longer be stuck in traffic, especially on the weekends. The many wineries and farms and other small businesses in the county won't have to wait hours to get their customers in and their products out of the region. New businesses will see opportunity in relocating to the area, rather than obstacles to commerce. For this growing county, a comprehensive transportation network is critical to its success. This isn't just true for my district; it is true across the country. Our roads, trains, buses, bridges, and ports are at the center of our economy. They are the way people get to work and businesses get their goods to market. But unfortunately, funding for our transportation system continues to shrink. Spending on our infrastructure is now at its smallest share of GDP in the last 22 years. In my State, in a 2014 report, the Oregon Department of Transportation estimates that the current 20-year forecast budget for the State highway system is insufficient to preserve and maintain pavement and bridges in their current condition. The report finds that not only will our roads deteriorate, but an increasing number of bridges will close to heavy trucks, forcing lengthy detours that will cost businesses time and money.…”