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. 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. 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. 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. Meanwhile too many federal funds are being spent on programs that aren’t in the federal interest. That is why the association is calling for the elimination of programs that aren’t in the federal interest and giving state and local officials more flexibility. The report calls for streamlining the federal environmental review process and setting timelines on anti-infrastructure lawsuits. It identifies ways to encourage greater private sector investment in, and operation of, infrastructure facilities. And it calls for the elimination of our current approach to earmarks, among other items. Read the plan. Read the press release. Read a fact sheet about the plan. AGC’s Case for Infrastructure & Reform in based in large part on comments from conservative leaders, including those who participated in a March 2, 2011 panel discussion hosted by the association and The Weekly Standard, including Reason Foundation’s Robert Poole, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton, Oklahoma Congressman James Lankford and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Bruce Josten. It also is based on a number of reform proposals, including:
- Restoring Trust in the Highway Trust Fund, Robert Poole, Reason Foundation
- The Road to Renewal, Private Investment in U.S. Transportation Infrastructure, R. Richard Geddes
- The Meaning of Mobility, Alan Pisarski
- Improving and Reforming Our Nation’s Surface Transportation Programs, Bryan Grote
The news was covered by ENR, American Metal Markets, Better Roads, Roads & Bridges, Construction Equipment Guide, and For Construction Pros.
For more information, contact Brian Turmail at (703) 837-5310 or turmailb@agc.org.