Ralston: Plan could be ‘transformative’ for Ga.

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston says President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan could be “transformative,” potentially bringing in federal money for rural Georgia and metro Atlanta public transportation.

Ralston was among about 20 state leaders from across the country invited to Washington on Monday as Trump announced his vision for $1.5 trillion in infrastructure spending over a decade.

“I was very impressed. This president is making a real priority out of rebuilding our infrastructure,” Ralston, a Blue Ridge Republican, said during an interview in front of the West Wing of the White House. “This is going to mean so much for Georgia.”

Ralston saw benefits for Georgia’s urban, suburban and rural areas.

“Anything that gives us more funding opportunities for transit, certainly, would be helpful for metro Atlanta,” he said. “I’m excited about his emphasis on high-speed broadband for rural Georgia.”