Tag: Infrastructure

Comprehensive Infrastructure Plan Fizzles Prior to July 4th Deadline

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by LICA-National
The one policy area where both sides agree investment – both public and private -- should be made is in infrastructure. President Biden offered a far reaching, comprehensive, ambitious proposal earlier this year only to have a slimmed down, less expensive Republican counteroffer. The good news within Washington is for the first time in years, serious bipartisan meetings were held to see if some kind of agreement could be reached. The bad news is when it comes to how to pay for increased investment, the ideological divide between the two parties rules the days and the infrastructure talks stall. It is expected that today will be the announced end to bipartisan infrastructure talks. It remains to be seen if the Biden Administration can rally support to move on or move away from one of his early stated priorities: significant comprehensive infrastructure investment. Stay tuned.

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Optimism as Infrastructure Bills Take Shape

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by LICA-National
Enjoying the opportunity to meet informally face to face with highway industry lobbyists, the general discussion was optimistic that some form of infrastructure legislation will be passed this year. Republicans leadership on key committees are participating in drafting smaller, more targeted bills aimed at traditional infrastructure projects such as highway and bridges.

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Infrastructure Struggles Call for Parental Attention

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by LICA-National
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) unveiled their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure last week, giving our nation a ‘C-’, up from 2017’s cumulative GPA of ‘D+’. This is the first time since ASCE began issuing the report card that the nation’s infrastructure has received a GPA outside of the D range. See each state report card at https://infrastructurereportcard.org/state-by-state-infrastructure.

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Don’t Be Fooled by the Infrastructure Chatter

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by LICA-National
As someone who has been around the federal policy debate on infrastructure for more than 30 years, I have to chuckle at the reemergence of the call for a massive infrastructure bill to bring this country out of our current economic woes.  No question there is bipartisan support for all the roads and bridge needs that exist and the good jobs that would be created.  And no question industry would support legislation that targets federal investment directed by state and local government leaders. However, putting the pieces together for a massive bill is a monumental task. 

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Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg Shares Transportation Priorities

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by LICA-National
Pete Buttigieg – former 2020 Democratic candidate for president and mayor of South Bend, Indiana – touted safety and infrastructure investment as his key priorities during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on January 21 to be the 19th U.S. Secretary of Transportation. “Safety is the foundation of the department [of transportation’s] mission, and it takes on new meaning amid this [COVID-19] pandemic,” Buttigieg said. “We must ensure all of our transportation systems – from aviation to public transit, to our railways, roads, ports, waterways, and pipelines – are managed safely during this critical period, as we work to defeat the virus.”

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