Santa Cruz County deputy county executive officer and public works director Matt Machado traveled with other local government leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C., last month to push for federal funding for local roads, bridges and transportation safety.
The two-day lobbying event was organized by the National Association of Counties, with leaders representing county governments from 15 states visiting Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and agency staff about federal policies affecting roads and bridges.
The group pressed D.C. lawmakers to expand access to federal funds, simplify grant programs, support local planning and project selections, fund rural planning organizations and streamline environmental reviews.
County governments control 44% of all public road miles and 38% of bridges nationwide, the association said in a media release. “Counties manage almost half of our nation’s transportation infrastructure, so it’s important that we’re investing time at the table to advocate for fair and equitable funding,” Machado said a statement.
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