Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E., joined other Georgia leaders including Speaker of the House David Ralston, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Williams, Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and DOT Planning Director Jay Roberts along with other state and local officials, at the White House Conversation on Infrastructure: Empowering State and Local Leaders event in Washington, D.C. Recognizing the need for a different approach, the White House office of Intergovernmental Affairs extended invitations to 160 key leaders across the country to outline guiding principles and facilitate brainstorming on actions focused on the need for change and the opportunity to empower state and local leaders. 
 
“I was honored to be able to share Georgia’s perspective to the Administration and very impressed by what they already have underway and their vision for the future; lessening the federal role and empowering states,” said Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “This was a very interactive meeting including breakout sessions with the Administration for them to hear directly from the states. They have four major reform focus areas; regulatory, policy, statutory, and cultural.”
 
U.S. DOT Secretary Elaine Chao kicked off her remarks on the need for a different approach by highlighting the work Georgia has done and praising our state for its exemplary effort in recent I-85 rebuild. Participants took part in a discussion with members of the President’s National Economic Council including Special Assistant to the President for Infrastructure D.J. Gribbin, Mick Mulvaney, Director, Office of Management and Budget and other senior White House staff. In recent months, Federal leaders have hosted several conference calls and in-person meetings with state and local officials to gain perspective and input on opportunities and challenges facing the nation’s infrastructure. Commissioner McMurry also traveled to Washington, D.C. in June 2017 during Infrastructure Week to participate in roundtable discussion to provide feedback on issues states often face with federal regulatory and permitting processes.