With great pleasure I want to bid a hearty welcome aboard to our new Deputy Secretary, John Porcari.
I've already written on these pages about the great example set by his predecessor, Adm. Thomas Barrett. But, we've got equally high expectations for John Porcari. And, though he's been on duty less than a week, he already has done some heavy lifting for us.
On Friday, John joined Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle in Racine, to help with groundbreaking for an interchange project on I-94.
That project is being expedited by nearly three years thanks to stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Indeed, $529 million in ARRA money will help fund $1.9 billion in Wisconsin construction expected to create 2,300 jobs.
When I said, "heavy lifting," I wasn't kidding. 2,300 jobs--not a bad first week, John.
My question for the governor is this.."If you handle the states budget shortfalls by spending even MORE money (that you don't have), is it fair to say that you are encouraging all hardworking in-dept families to do the same?? and if not, WHY not??"
Posted by: Scoobs | June 08, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Deputy Secretary John Porcari is a terrific new addition to the team at USDOT. Congratulations!
Posted by: Greg Cohen | June 08, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Too bad those jobs won't help all the non-construction workers out there, who lost their jobs due to Diamond Jim's scorched-earth policies. WI has the highest per capita deficit in the whole USA, and people wonder why businesses are leaving! I hope he does get recalled!
Posted by: emily matthews | June 08, 2009 at 06:51 PM
John Porcari is a terrific addition to USDOT. We miss him in Maryland already
Posted by: Jamie Kendrick | June 09, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Another thank you to John Porcari for all he did in Maryland. We're just as glad to have both of you at the federal level now.
I hope you had a representative at the Wilson Bridge Trail opening - it is beautiful!
Posted by: Walt | June 10, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Deputy Secretary John Porcari is a terrific new addition to the team at USDOT. I AGREE!
Posted by: Wheel Bearings | July 01, 2009 at 01:47 PM