U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) led the charge for higher wages and a modern American transportation and infrastructure plan today as the powerful House Budget Committee reviewed President Obama’s proposed FY2016 budget with Office of Management and Budget Director, Shaun Donovan. U.S. Rep. Castor zeroed in on specific needs for bigger paychecks and the Tampa Bay area’s economic and infrastructure needs.

The President’s FY2016 Budget proposes a six-year transportation and infrastructure plan, which U.S. Rep. Castor cited as important to local communities and businesses. Congress is overdue in reauthorizing a multi-year transportation plan and has struggled in recent years to offer meaningful, long-term plans. 

Infrastructure investments are particularly important to the Tampa Bay area. For example, the Recovery Act’s I-4/Crosstown Connector helped create jobs and grow our local economy while positioning Port Tampa Bay for future growth. Thousands of jobs are tied to infrastructure at Port Tampa Bay, Tampa International Airport and completion of future interstate and bridge projects. U.S. Rep. Castor highlighted a current unfunded project at Port Tampa Bay to Director Donovan and strongly endorsed the federal partnership with local communities and businesses needed to move forward.

Click here for the video of today’s hearing: