For Immediate Release

May 22, 2015

CONTACT:  Ian Jannetta (Van Hollen) – 202-225-1527

Rachel MacKnight / Alanna Wellspeak (Mikulski) – 202-228-1122

Sue Walitsky (Cardin) – 202-224-4524 / Tim Zink (Cardin) – 410-962-4436

Latoya Veal (Hoyer) – 202-225-4131

Trudy Perkins – (Cummings) – 202-225-4741

Jaime Lennon (Ruppersberger) – 410-628-2701

Dan Jacobs (Sarbanes) – 202-225-4016

Chris Schloesser / Marc Rehmann (Edwards) – 202-225-8699

Chris MacKenzie (Delaney) – 202-570-1836

Van Hollen, Maryland Delegation Urge Hogan to Move Forward with Red and Purple Lines 

Washington, DC – Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen was joined by U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Donna Edwards, and John Delaney (all D-MD) in sending a letter to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan reiterating their unified support for the Red and Purple Lines in Maryland.

“Both systems will create needed transit connections between population centers and employment, reduce congestion in area roadways, and foster community and economic development,” the Members wrote. “Maryland should not squander our advantaged position in this competitive fight for funding. We urge you to move expeditiously to finalize plans for the Red and Purple Lines and bring Maryland the economic benefits and jobs they will provide.”

The full text of the letter is below:

May 22, 2015

Governor Larry Hogan

100 State Circle

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Hogan,

We write to reiterate our unified support for the Red and Purple Lines in Maryland and continued commitment to ensuring the success of these critical projects.

Both systems will create needed transit connections between population centers and employment, reduce congestion in area roadways, and foster community and economic development. With increasing numbers of employers, including the federal government, listing access to transit among desired assets for their facilities, robust transit networks in the Baltimore and Washington regions will make Maryland a more attractive location.

We appreciate that your Administration has undertaken a thorough examination of these projects, including discussions with the local leaders who have put extensive effort into their planning and development. Local governments in the City of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County, have already committed resources to help ensure the success of these projects, and they are invested in their progress.

Additionally, as Representatives of the Greater Baltimore and Washington regions, we have worked with our constituent communities to refine these projects, and continue to lend our support to that effort. As you know, we have also secured access to federal funding in a difficult fiscal climate. If these funds – $100 million for each project in Fiscal Year 2015 and up to $900 million each for full construction –  are not spent on the Purple and Red Lines, they will not be available for other projects in Maryland.

However, this opportunity will not last forever. Other states throughout the country are eager to fund transit projects to bring economic opportunity to their residents. Maryland should not squander our advantaged position in this competitive fight for funding.

We urge you to move expeditiously to finalize plans for the Red and Purple Lines and bring Maryland the economic benefits and jobs they will provide. We stand ready to work with you to realize the full potential of these critical transit lines.

Sincerely,

Barbara A. Mikulski

United States Senator

Benjamin L. Cardin

United States Senator

Chris Van Hollen

Member of Congress

Steny H. Hoyer

Member of Congress

Elijah E. Cummings

Member of Congress

C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger

Member of Congress

John P. Sarbanes

Member of Congress

Donna F. Edwards

Member of Congress

John K. Delaney

Member of Congress