This past week was officially “Infrastructure Week” again at the White House. But even though this was the third “Infrastructure Week” since inauguration day, the administration says that the promised $1.7 trillion bill probably won’t be coming this year.
It was one of the White House’s major goals at the beginning of the year and was said to be one of the President’s top legislative priorities for 2018. It even seemed to have bipartisan support. Then the White House issued a proposal on February 12th. The proposal sought to raise $1.7 trillion in infrastructure funding. $200 billion of which was to come from the federal government, and the remaining $1.5 trillion from state and local governments and from private-sector investments.
Leaving aside how to incentivize the private sector to invest that money, the federal government is scratching its head as to how to raise its own $200 billion. In her keynote address kicking off the latest “Transportation Week,” Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said that the administration is still considering around 16 different funding mechanisms – all of which have their issues.
“All these mechanisms are available. Every single one of them has their advocate, but every single one of them has their detractors as well. The gasoline tax, while popular with some groups, is obviously not popular with others,” Chao said. “There’s a painful point for all groups.”
It looks like Congress will get time to iron out any issues. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she doesn’t expect the infrastructure bill any time soon.
“We’re going to continue to look at ways to improve the nation’s infrastructure,” Sanders said in a press briefing. “But in terms of a specific piece of legislation, I’m not aware that that will happen by the end of the year.”
Source: thehill, ttnews, ijr, nymag, thehill, ttnews, ttnews
You mean Trump lied to us ?!?! Say it ain’t so !
So… The tax cuts have made a budget surplus. They can’t be using it for toilet paper, so why not start reinvesting the surplus back into commerce to help support the growing economy?
I don’t understand how tax cuts lead to a budget surplus? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Less money coming into the government = less money for government projects.
So, all of the never ending construction zones all over the country are being done WITHOUT this huge bill? (Not complaining that work IS getting done.)
And, SOME states keep their roads in good shape, and some in awful (looking at you, Indiana, pot hole capital).
Appears to be wise variation of leadership at state level. Which is problem they are talking about.
Good luck.
This delay makes sense given the possibility of the House changing hands this year. Infrastructure is one of the few things that will be able to pass if that happens.
All the people who voted for Trump because they want the rich to pay less taxes should not complain about the condition of the roads. The millionaires have road budget money.