Phoenix Mayor Gallego meets with Biden, others on infrastructure plan

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego took part in a bipartisan meeting on Wednesday with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, White House staff as well as other mayors and governors on infrastructure framework that she says would benefit the city.

“Phoenix as the fastest growing city in the country wants to partner with the federal government to make sure people can get to work easily, that they have a great experience at Sky Harbor Airport and that when they turn on the tap, that high-quality drinking water is still available,” Gallego told KTAR News 92.3 FM after the meeting.

“There was a real excitement in the room about what’s possible, and the American role we can take when we really invest.”

The $1.2 trillion framework marks the largest long-term investment in the country’s infrastructure in nearly a century, with a focus on clean transportation, clean water, universal broadband, clean power, remediation of legacy pollution and resilience to the changing climate.

Gallego said the city would be very competitive going after the infrastructure grants, and that the framework at the local level would translate to a better experience at Sky Harbor Airport, on public transportation and on Valley roadways.

“We talk about the time tax and how any time you are not with your family or at work but you’re commuting its not the best use of time so we want to invest in great infrastructure,” Gallego said. “Phoenix residents know what it means when you lose out on a good working bridge, as we did with the 7th Street bridge this year.”

“The bipartisan infrastructure framework would help us invest in safer streets, which is a real issue of importance to Phoenix.”

Gallego added she talked to Biden about the city’s water supply and drought along the Colorado River, saying the president is committed to making sure there are investments to have a resilient water supply.

“I appreciate how much they were interested in the jobs in Phoenix and quality of water supply infrastructure,” Gallego said.

“The White House is very aware and focused on helping address problems Arizonans are facing.”

Joining Gallego at the White House was the mayors of Dayton, Ohio, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Denver, Colorado and Mobile, Alabama, as well as Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois and Governor Phil Scott of Vermont.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup contributed to this report.

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