Governor Hogan and the Purple Line
A Timeline
November 4, 2014 Larry Hogan elected governor
November 12 Governor-elect says he’ll announce whether he’ll cancel Purple Line after he’s sworn in on January 21
December 3 Postponement #1 Maryland Transit Administration delays deadline for contractor bids to build & operate Purple Line from January 9 to March 12, to give new governor time to evaluate project
December 19 Business supporters of Purple Line seek meeting with Hogan
December 19 Purple Line Now requests meeting with governor-elect
January 7, 2015 Governor-elect Hogan speaks at Columbia Country Club’s anti-Purple Line fundraiser
January 22 Hogan budget includes Purple Line funding
February 2 Postponement #2 Transportation Secretary Rahn tells legislature that Purple Line review will be completed by April 13
February Governor’s staff meets with Columbia Country Club lobbyists
February 20 Postponement #3 Friday evening email discloses delay in bid deadline until August 19
February 26 State spokeswoman says governor will make Purple Line decision by mid-May
April 15 Purple Line Now sends governor an open letter, complaining of his unwillingness to meet
April 27 ACT press release hits Hogan staff for meeting with Columbia Country Club but not Purple Line supporters
May 8 Purple Line Now, complaining that governor has not visited route, takes cardboard Larry Hogan on Purple Line tour
May 14 Postponement #4 Governor tells Senate President Miller that he will make Purple Line decision by May 28
May 15 Postponement #5 In late Friday interview, governor says he will decide sometime in June; reveals indefinite delay in bid deadline
May 21 Hogan discusses Purple Line with County Executives Baker and Leggett but meeting lasts less than half hour
May 27 Transportation Secretary Rahn recommends approval of Purple Line
June 4 Hogan rides maglev in Japan, says “Seeing is believing.”
June 5 Spokesman tells Sun that governor hasn’t toured Purple Line route because he wasn’t invited
June 12 Governor’s office says decision will come by end of June
June 16 State has not contacted Montgomery County to discuss design changes or additional money from county
June 22 Governor announces he is suffering from cancer
June 25 Governor says Purple Line will go forward with cost cuts if counties pay more; specifics not announced