Congressman Brown Questions Governor Hogan's Transportation Record

Press Release

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has questions about Governor Larry Hogan's (R-MD) record on transportation and equity.

This morning, Governor Hogan will appear before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for a hearing entitled, "Building Back Better: Investing in Transportation while Addressing Climate Change, Improving Equity, and Fostering Economic Growth and Innovation." Smart, effective transportation is a key issue for Marylanders.

Some questions that deserve answers on their behalf include:

In 2015, Governor Hogan cancelled the Red Line Light Rail in Baltimore City, a project that would have helped connect Baltimore residents and communities of color with job and economic opportunities. State funds originally set aside for the Red Line were redirected to building roads instead -- in predominantly white areas. While Governor Hogan cut tolls on suburban highways and bridges, Baltimoreans endured fare increases on buses, rail and commuter lines. This decision has perpetuated racial segregation and inequity in Baltimore. The NAACP filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation arguing that this decision violated the Civil Rights Act. What is the Governor's plan to ensure transportation equity for Baltimore?

Governor Hogan's plan to add toll lanes to the Capital Beltway and I-270 continues to move forward. Decades of traffic data across the United States show that increasing road capacity does not improve traffic. Instead, widening highways just encourages people to drive more and travel longer distances. Short-term benefits after multibillion-dollar expansion projects often disappear in as little as three to five years. How do more roads address climate change or foster the economic growth and innovation needed to keep Maryland competitive?

Due to state mismanagement, construction on the Purple Line project has stalled. Meanwhile, residents have been left with a 16-mile string of construction sites lying mostly dormant, even as orange barrels and concrete barriers keep some roads closed, others narrowed and communities torn up. Small-business owners worry they won't survive seven years or longer. Low income communities and communities of color who need the Purple Line most continue to wait. As we "Build Back Better" what is Governor Hogan's plan for these communities and the Purple Line project?

In order to "build back better" and help our nation recover following this pandemic we need a bold and transformative approach to infrastructure that invests in 21st century transit, limits greenhouse gasses, ensures equity and mobility for every community and drives economic growth. For the people of Maryland, Governor Hogan's transportation record has been inadequate by nearly every measure.

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