WASHINGTON D.C. The first and foremost priority for new Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood is to move the portion of the stimulus package directly under the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) purview out into the economy as fast as possible.

Speaking before the board of the American Trucking Assns. (ATA) at a special meeting at the Russell Senate Office Building here, LaHood said his “immediate goal” is to get the $28 billion in highway infrastructure funding, $12 billion in transit system monies and $8 billion to develop a national “high speed rail” network into the hands of state governors and mayors as fast as possible.

“Our goal is to get that money out the door this spring, summer and fall,” LaHood said. “And you as truckers will be transporting a good part of the materials for all of that. The trucking industry is critical to the health of the economy.”

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