Governors joined leaders from technology companies and other private-sector experts to explore innovative measures to enhance the efficiency of infrastructure during the third of four National Governors Association (NGA) stakeholder summits in support of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s 2019-20 NGA Chair’s Initiative.
California
Governor Gavin Newsom, Montana Governor Steve Bullock and Tennessee Governor
Bill Lee joined Gov. Hogan in San Francisco, alongside other state officials
and executives of technology, freight and consulting companies. They discussed
opportunities to effectively streamline planning and permitting processes,
highlight state actions, and explore what is needed to reduce costly delays to
vital infrastructure projects. They also studied ways to integrate existing and
emerging technologies across energy, water and transportation infrastructure.
“In states across the country, governors are working together in a bipartisan
way showing real leadership, making real progress, and finding real solutions
to the serious problems facing us,” said Gov. Hogan. “Our nation’s governors on
both sides of the aisle are finding new ways to innovate, to reform, and to
drive the debate. My goal is to harness that strength and come up with all the
best ideas in order to tackle the infrastructure issue that is so fundamental
to our economy, environment and our way of life.”
The summit was the third of four planned U.S. convenings in support of Gov.
Hogan’s NGA Chair’s Initiative, Infrastructure: Foundation for Success. Gov. Hogan joined
fellow governors and experts in Boston in September to
study measures to relieve traffic congestion, and led a study tour in Australia later that month
to explore innovative funding models. In October, governors gathered in Detroit to discuss
emerging trends and best practices for protecting infrastructure against
human-caused and natural threats.
Future study tours and stakeholder summits are planned in Canada in April and Arizona in May. Gov. Hogan’s initiative will conclude during the NGA Summer Meeting in Portland, Maine, in August.
