WASHINGTON — Prince George’s and Montgomery counties are ready to battle for the Purple Line.
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker is in Las Vegas at a convention to recruit business to the county. One of his big selling points is the Purple Line.
“It’s not about just moving people from one jurisdiction or another. It’s about job creation,” Baker says.
A lot of business is hinging on the $2.4 billion line that would connect Bethesda to New Carrollton and connect the state’s two largest counties. But it has yet to be approved by Gov. Larry Hogan, who takes issue with the cost, Baker says.
“I think there is room where we can make this workable. … The benefits to the state outweigh what we’re going to put into it in the first couple years,” he says.
Both Baker and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett are meeting with Hogan in Annapolis on Thursday for the final push.
Editor’s Note (May 19, 2015 06:35 p.m.): A previous version of this story noted the meeting between the governor and county executives was set to happen in Las Vegas. They were in Las Vegas and met informally about the Purple Line. Thursday’s meeting will be in Annapolis.
