Congressmen say budget cuts could affect Coast bridges, ports, airports
U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and U.S. House Transportation Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., met with South Mississippi leaders Wednesday morning for a roundtable discussion about transportation issues.
Among the agenda items were sequestration and airport towers, and the Port of Gulfport project.
“Our sea, air and land assets are extremely important to our regional economy and also to our national security,” Palazzo said. “So I wanted (Shuster) to hear firsthand about our roads that are crumbling, our bridges that are falling in, our ports that are being filled full of silt and sand and what we can do to improve not only our regional assets, but also to help our national economy.”
Palazzo said with budget cuts, there is always a concern transportation needs will not be completely met, but he is hoping to reduce mandatory spending.
“Transportation infrastructure is all about a strong economy,” Palazzo said. “We have to have a strong economy.”
Sun Herald
3/27/13
Magnolia Tribune
