House panel explores public-private partnerships

The lower Hudson Valley will be represented on a new congressional panel exploring the use of public-private partnerships in economic development and infrastructure projects.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, a Democrat from Cold Spring, was named to the bipartisan panel by the Republican chairman and the ranking Democratic member of the House transportation and infrastructure committee. His office said it will focus on the use of and opportunities for public-private partnerships, or P3s, across all modes of transportation, economic development, public buildings, water and maritime infrastructure and equipment projects.

Maloney represents the 18th congressional district, which includes all of Orange and Putnam counties and parts of Westchester and Dutchess counties.

House committee leaders said the panel will examine the role P3s currently play in development and delivery of transportation and infrastructure projects in the U.S. and on the U.S. economy and how they enhance delivery and management of those projects beyond the capabilities of government agencies or the private sector acting independently. The panel also will address how to balance the needs of the public and private sectors when considering, developing and implementing P3 projects.

“The private sector continues to show significant, growing interest in investing in infrastructure in the United States and internationally,” Pennsylvania Republican Bill Shuster, chairman of  the House transportation and infrastructure committee, said in a press release. “But aside from a selection of highway projects, utilization of P3s in U.S. transportation, economic development and water infrastructure has been limited.”

Shuster said the panel will examine “where greater opportunities may exist to leverage resources at the federal, state, and local level.” Its recommendations will be used by the committee as it develops future legislation, he said.

Maloney in the announcement said he spearheaded initiatives to develop public-private partnerships in his previous work in both the private sector and state government. “Investing in infrastructure creates tens of thousands of good paying jobs, boosts our economy and serves commuters and businesses for decades,” he said.