INFRASTRUCTURE: Harder Announces Economic Growth Priorities at Regional Infrastructure Roundtable
STOCKTON – Today, at a regional infrastructure roundtable at the Port of Stockton, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced his economic growth priorities to bring home more infrastructure investments, complete projects faster, and grow the Valley’s economy. Joined by the Stockton and U.S. Chambers of Commerce, Harder led a roundtable discussion on Valley transportation and infrastructure investment, as well as local business and community needs as Congress considers upcoming surface transportation legislation.
“Stockton is a city that thrives on infrastructure, wedged between two major highways with 100,000 residents that commute to the Bay every single day, as well as the Port that is the economic heart of our community,” said Rep. Harder. “We’re one of the fastest growing counties in the state, but right now it’s way too difficult to build new infrastructure because the permitting process takes years and even decades to complete. Securing reliable, long-term funding and a predictable, transparent regulatory process will keep goods moving, support good-paying jobs, and strengthen local communities. I’m grateful for the U.S. Chamber and our local business leaders’ efforts to bring our community together around these priorities, and I look forward to passing these common sense solutions in Washington.”
Harder’s economic growth priorities:
- More Federal Investment – As a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Harder is pushing to bring back more federal dollars for local economic development projects, building on successes like the Port of Stockton’s new zero-emissions infrastructure project.
- Less Red Tape – Harder is leading more than 40 members of the bipartisan Build America Caucus to reduce unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic bloat that ties up projects for years and drives up costs for businesses and consumers.
- Pass Pro-Growth Transportation Package – Harder is demanding that congressional leaders include smart, targeted reforms in upcoming, must-pass surface transportation reauthorization legislation.
Harder is also leading landmark legislation to cut red tape and yearslong delays in energy permitting, which causes utility prices to skyrocket and creates bottlenecks for new energy projects.
“Permitting delays remain one of the biggest barriers to delivering the infrastructure projects communities desperately need, and a growing bipartisan coalition in Congress is rightly focused on fixing a system that is outdated, inefficient, and costly,” said Christopher Guith, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Energy Institute. “Congressman Harder’s leadership on the FREEDOM Act is an important step forward, helping streamline reviews, provide greater certainty for project delivery, and remove unnecessary obstacles that delay investment. As Congress considers reauthorizing federal surface transportation programs this year, long-term funding certainty paired with a predictable permitting process will be essential to delivering a robust highway bill that strengthens local economies, supports workers, and keeps America competitive.”
Other roundtable participants included representatives from the City of Stockton and the Port of Stockton, the California Chamber of Commerce, the San Joaquin Building Trades Council, San Joaquin Partnership, the Stockton East Water District, and local businesses.
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