Lt. Governor Brown Highlights Inclusion of BRAC Projects Among Governor O'Malley's FY11 Federal Priorities
O’Malley presents federal priorities to Maryland Delegation, asks Team Maryland to fight for $106 million for BRAC infrastructure projects
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 11, 2010) – Lt. Governor Brown applauded the inclusion of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) infrastructure projects among Governor Martin O’Malley’s federal priorities for FY2011. Governoro O’Malley asked Maryland’s Federal delegation to fight for more than $106 million to help prepare and maintain Maryland’s transportation infrastructure in BRAC-impacted regions.
“In Maryland, BRAC means jobs,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “I applaud Governor O’Malley for prioritizing our BRAC readiness and am proud of the strong partnership we have forged with Senator Mikulski and the rest of Team Maryland to ensure that we are ready for BRAC. The funding Governor O’Malley has asked our delegation to fight for will ensure that we maintain our high quality of life as we welcome new neighbors. Perhaps more importantly, though, it will ensure that the Department of Defense meets its mission to protect our national security.”
Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by members of the Executive Cabinet, travelled to Capitol Hill today to formally present Maryland’s FY11 federal priorities to the State’s Congressional delegation. Hosted by Senator Barbara Mikulski, who arranged the meeting, the members were presented with priorities including public health and safety projects, assistance for Maryland farmers, and investment in highway and infrastructure projects.
The BRAC projects included $81.1 million for the Defense Access Roads Program that would fund highway and road projects in Harford County near Aberdeen Proving Ground, in Anne Arundel County near Fort Meade and in Montgomery County near the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. In addition, Governor O’Malley asked Team Maryland to fight for $25 million through Federal Highway Administration Public Lands Highway program to fund transportation projects in Harford, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, as well as along the US-15/Monocacy Boulevard Corridor in Frederick County.
BRAC will create as many as 60,000 new jobs in Maryland by 2015 and will bring as many as 28,000 new households to communities across the state. In 2007, Governor O’Malley called on the Maryland General Assembly to create the Governor’s Subcabinet on Base Realignment and Closure and named Lt. Governor Brown chair. The Subcabinet has partnered with local government, public and private sector partners and Federal lawmakers to ensure that Maryland is fully prepared to embrace the opportunities presented by BRAC and meet the challenges, including infrastructure and transportation challenges.
