Iowa Department of Transportation director discusses infrastructure challenges with national leaders
AMES, Iowa – Aug. 31, 2017 – As part of ongoing discussions with federal, state and local leaders, Iowa Department of Transportation Director Mark Lowe traveled to Washington, D.C. Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, to take part in a White House Conversation on Infrastructure: Empowering State and Local Leaders.
Director Lowe joined a mix of transportation, economic development, agriculture, natural resources leaders to hold a conversation between all layers of government to gain perspective and input on infrastructure challenges and opportunities.
Participating in the discussion were members of the President’s National Economic Council, Special Assistant to the President for Infrastructure, D.J. Gribbin, along with special guests including Senior White House Staff and Cabinet Members Secretary Elaine Chao and Director Mick Mulvaney.
A stated purpose of this conversation among leaders with varied challenges and perspectives is to underscore the need for a different approach, outline draft guiding principles, and allow participants to brainstorm actions to help carry this conversation on the need for change and the opportunity to empower state and local leaders back to states and communities.
Lowe said, "The administration is still finalizing details of their infrastructure plan, but it was helpful to hear firsthand the principles they have established and the strategies they are considering, and gratifying to see state and local leaders included in the conversation. There were several themes that I and other transportation leaders found very encouraging, including greater decision-making and control at the state and local level, concerted efforts to eliminate layers of permitting that delay projects and increase their cost, and a commitment to funding strategies that meet the needs of rural states."
##
Contact: Mark Lowe at [email protected] or 515-239-1111