State roads to economic recovery: Policies, pavements, and partnerships

As the U.S. economy begins a slow climb to recovery, state and local governments are still reeling from the impact of the Great Recession. Revenues have plunged while the demand for key state and local services has soared. Meanwhile, unemployment remains stubbornly high.

The Hamilton Project and the Metropolitan Policy Program held a forum focused on state strategies that can help close budget deficits while also growing state economies and creating much-needed jobs.

Brookings Vice President Bruce Katz moderated a panel of policy experts and state leaders, including former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and Mike Finney, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, who discussed a range of fiscally responsible policy ideas to build the foundation for the next economy.

A second panel of economic experts, moderated by Hamilton Project Director Michael Greenstone, discussed three new policy proposals to help state and local governments invest more efficiently in infrastructure as a tool for ensuring their long-term economic competitiveness. A former Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Tyler Duvall, served as a discussant for the proposals.