The Case for Infrastructure & Reform makes a compelling case for a continued federal role in investing in infrastructure while simultaneously calling for reforms to refocus federal programs.
The report notes that the federal government has a Constitutional responsibility to invest in transportation facilities that support interstate commerce.聽 It adds that infrastructure investments are crucial to national economic security and protecting businesses and citizens from the hidden tax they would bare should our infrastructure be allowed to fail.聽 And the report makes clear that investing in the maintenance of infrastructure is far cheaper than paying to fix those facilities once they break. It points out flaws with the current federal approach, noting there are too many barriers to private sector investment in infrastructure.聽 It adds that there is a lack of innovative approaches available to officials to finance complex infrastructure approaches, and that those officials have too little flexibility.聽 Meanwhile too many federal funds are being spent on programs that aren鈥檛 in the federal interest. That is why the association is calling for the elimination of programs that aren鈥檛 in the federal interest and giving state and local officials more flexibility.聽 The report calls for streamlining the federal environmental review process and setting timelines on anti-infrastructure lawsuits.聽 It identifies ways to encourage greater private sector investment in, and operation of, infrastructure facilities.聽 And it calls for the elimination of our current approach to earmarks, among other items. Read the plan. Read a fact sheet about the plan. 51风流鈥檚 Case for Infrastructure & Reform in based in large part on comments from conservative leaders, including those who participated in a hosted by the association and The Weekly Standard, including Reason Foundation鈥檚 Robert Poole, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton, Oklahoma Congressman James Lankford and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Bruce Josten. It also is based on a number of reform proposals, including:
- Robert Poole, Reason Foundation
- , R. Richard Geddes
- , Alan Pisarski
- , Bryan Grote
The news was covered by , , , , , and .
For more information, contact Brian Turmail at (703) 837-5310 or turmailb@agc.org.