In Washington, D.C., Leaders Rally for SR 347 Initiative

Several members of the Maricopa City Council traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to advocate for the city’s pressing infrastructure needs. Their visit concluded today.

In a statement released yesterday, city leaders emphasized the importance of proactive engagement, asserting, “big changes don’t happen by waiting — they happen through action.”

During their time in the capital, Mayor Nancy Smith, Councilmembers Vincent Manfredi and AnnaMarie Knorr engaged with congressional representatives and officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Key topics included seeking new funding avenues through grants and bonds for essential projects, such as improvements to State Route 347, the construction of a pedestrian bridge, and upgrades to a city-operated ambulance service.

This trip continues a long-standing tradition of city leaders advocating for Maricopa’s infrastructure needs during annual visits to Washington. Last year, Councilmembers Eric Goettl and Henry Wade accompanied Mayor Smith to discuss similar initiatives, including enhancements to SR 347 and flood control measures.

This year’s delegation met with U.S. Representatives Eli Crane, Andy Biggs, Yassamin Ansari, and Paul Gosar, in addition to staff for Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly. Mayor Smith highlighted the significance of these meetings in fostering relationships with federal partners. “Every conversation we had in Washington reinforced that our federal partners understand Maricopa’s needs and are ready to help,” she stated.

Manfredi echoed her sentiments, noting the efficiency of their advocacy efforts. “It allows city officials to get everybody together and, in one day, have eight to nine meetings,” he remarked.

The week-long trip culminated with Councilmember Eric Goettl joining Manfredi and Knorr at the National League of Cities conference to engage with other city leaders and federal agencies on crucial issues, including transportation and housing.