"John has served the people of Maryland as secretary of transportation during an unprecedented time of growth and reinvestment in our state's infrastructure, including the beginning stages of the Inter-County Connector, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project, and over $1 billion in recovery and reinvestment projects throughout Maryland," the statement said. "John's leadership as an advocate for infrastructure investment impacts the lives of all Marylanders as they travel on resurfaced highways, restored bridges, or new hybrid buses."
Porcari, who served a term as transportation secretary under Gov. Parris N. Glendening from 1999 to 2002 before returning to the post under O'Malley, has been known as a cool, affable administrator with a knack for working with legislators of both parties.
Democratic House Speaker Michael E. Busch said Friday that Porcari "has been one of the best secretaries of any agency since I've been in public office."
"It's a huge loss to the state of Maryland, but it reflects the kind of quality people that the Obama administration is attracting to the federal agencies," said Busch, an Anne Arundel Democrat first elected in 1987.
Del. Norman H. Conway, a Wicomico County Democrat who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said he's sorry to see Porcari leave state service.
"You can pretty well rely on whatever he tells you. He has been a tremendous leader for the department and for the state," Conway said.
Porcari said Friday that the nomination has been in the works for several weeks. He said he expects none of the tax problems that have complicated the confirmation of some other Obama nominees.
"It sure pays to lead a straightforward, boring life," he said.
Porcari said he has met with LaHood and looks forward to assisting him with "a very full and ambitious agenda." He would be coming aboard at a time when the Obama administration faces the task of winning passage of legislation funding the nation's transportation program for the next six years. The current authorization bill expires this year amid concerns that the federal gas tax is no longer raising enough revenue to keep the highway trust from the brink of insolvency.
As Maryland secretary, Porcari has been insistent that transportation planning is inextricably intertwined with environmental concerns. Despite disagreements over the ICC, the long-debated toll road now under construction in suburban Washington, he has maintained strong ties with advocates of smart growth and the Chesapeake Bay. Horsley noted that Porcari chairs the state transportation officials' association's task force on climate change.
