By Amanda Hanson - bio | email feedback
JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica has been to several major cities across the country regarding the reauthorization of the Federal Highway Bill. Thursday, a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Listening Session was held in Jonesboro.
"I think it's good to hear from smaller communities," says House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica. He says in the process to reauthorize the Federal Highway Bill, it is important to understand the needs of those the bill directly impacts. Mica adds the best ideas do not always come from Washington.
"We want good positive suggestions, and how some of these federal programs that don't work, how can we make the work? We have the opportunity to do the right thing, and that's why I'm here with Rick Crawford to see what the people want," says Mica.
The listening session brought together elected officials, economic developers, and contractors from all across Northeast Arkansas. "They will be asking questions, giving their input, giving their suggestions to the Leadership and Transportation Committee," says Arkansas Congressman Rick Crawford.
Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin says since Jonesboro is a smaller community, the session will provide a different perspective than some of the larger cities visited.
"Economic development is our main thrust here in Jonesboro, and transportation plays that vital part in that. We obviously need more infrastructures in our deal here. So that's what we want to talk about," says Mayor Perrin.
"When this week is all done, they will have pretty much crossed the whole country and gathered information that will help serve them in developing the Highway Bill," says Crawford.
The last House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Listening Session will take place February 25th in Millington, Tennessee.
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