Mayor Kasim Reed Joins Chuck Todd and Senator James Inhofe to Discuss National Infrastructure Priorities
Staff Report From Metro Atlanta CEO
Thursday, May 25th, 2017
The City of Atlanta announced that Mayor Kasim Reed participated in a panel discussion with NBC Meet the Press host Chuck Todd, Axios Founder Jim VanDeHei and Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) in Washington, D.C. this morning. The discussion focused on how Democratic Mayors and Republican state and federal elected officials are prioritizing infrastructure projects and spending. The discussion was co-sponsored by Delta Air Lines, Inc.
“I was pleased to join Senator Inhofe, Chuck Todd and Jim VanDeHei for this important conversation today,” said Mayor Reed. “Investing in infrastructure should not be a partisan issue - investing in infrastructure is essential for competing in the twenty-first century economy. Atlanta voters have overwhelmingly supported investments in transportation and water infrastructure, including a 40-year, $2.6 billion investment in our public transit system. Voters know that building and maintaining our infrastructure is one of the fundamental responsibilities of government as well as an imperative for promoting economic opportunity and mobility.”
During his two terms in office, Mayor Reed has made the largest investments in infrastructure in generations. He led the effort to pass the $2.6 billion expansion of the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and the $300 million TSPLOST on the ballot this past November. Mayor Reed also won voter approval to re-authorize the Municipal Option Sales Tax to fund continued upgrades and improvements to the City’s water and sewer infrastructure. In March 2015, voters overwhelmingly approved the $250 million Renew Atlanta infrastructure bond, which will cut the city’s infrastructure backlog by paving roads, building miles of complete streets and bike lanes, fixing sidewalks and upgrading and syncing traffic signals.
The City of Atlanta is also investing in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest and most efficient passenger airport. The $6 billion ATL Next, a 20-year program, will boost capacity, renew and replace existing facilities, and enhance the airport’s aesthetic appeal. Nearly $1 billion is projected to be spent in 2017 alone. Project areas include air cargo development, a new hotel and mixed use development, upgrades to the domestic terminal and updated parking facilities.
Axios is a new media company founded by CEO Jim VanDeHei and Executive Editor Mike Allen, both former co-founders of Politico. NBC’s Meet the Press, hosted by Chuck Todd, is the longest running show on television, running each Sunday morning.