Obama taps Md. transport secretary for DOT

Obama taps Md. transport secretary for DOT    Maryland Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari will be the next deputy secretary of transportation if confirmed by the Senate.
   President Barack Obama announced Friday he intended to nominate Porcari to be DOT Secretary Ray LaHood's right-hand man.
   As Maryland's transportation chief Porcari is responsible for the state's highway, transit, aviation, maritime and motor vehicle registration activities. He also serves as chairman of the agency that manages the state's bridges and tunnels.
   He played a key role in the development and funding of the $2.4 billion Woodrow Wilson Bridge and new InterCounty Connector, which includes extensive environmental safeguards.
   Porcari, 50, first served as the state's transportation secretary from 1999 to 2002. In between his transportation stints, Porcari was vice president for administrative affairs at the University of Maryland.