Veronique de Rugy
Attention readers: Mark Shields is off this week. Please enjoy the following column by Veronique de Rugy.
While President Joe Biden’s administration doesn’t seem to need an excuse to spend money, two recurring arguments for his gigantic $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal are that our roads and bridges are “crumbling” and that modernization would generate economic growth and jobs hence its name, the American Jobs Plan. But none of this clever marketing makes any of these claims true.
Let me start by pointing out that, to the extent that people think about roads and bridges when they hear the word “infrastructure,” they should know that only $621 billion of the $2.3 trillion is for transportation and of that sum, only $115 billion is for repairing roads and bridges. The rest of the bill is mostly a handout to private companies that already invest heavily in infrastructure. These subsidies will come with federal red tape and regulation and hinder
The Truth About Biden’s Infrastructure Legislation
While President Joe Biden s administration doesn t seem to need an excuse to spend money, two recurring arguments for his gigantic $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal are that our roads and bridges are crumbling and that modernization would generate economic growth and jobs. Pictured: Biden meets with members of the Congressional Black Caucus in the Oval Office on April 13, 2021. (Photo: Pete Marovich-Pool/Getty Images)
Commentary By
Veronique de Rugy is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
While President Joe Biden’s administration doesn’t seem to need an excuse to spend money, two recurring arguments for his gigantic $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal are that our roads and bridges are “crumbling” and that modernization would generate economic growth and jobs hence its name, the American Jobs Plan. But none of this clever marketing makes any of these claims true.
Biden s infrastructure plan seen as aiding initial link in farm supply chain Spending could help farmers better transport crops from fields. But its support for EVs could diminish demand for ethanol.
By Ellyn Ferguson, CQ-Roll Call April 17, 2021 8:00am Text size Copy shortlink:
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden s plan to spend billions for better roads, safer bridges and modernized locks and dams on waterways will aid rural areas and the agriculture sector, but some groups said his broad definition of infrastructure and his proposed tax increases are problematic.
Johnathan Hladik, policy director for the Center for Rural Affairs in Nebraska, said he is heartened by the $115 billion the plan said is needed to repair the worst 10,000 smaller bridges, including bridges that provide critical connections to rural and tribal communities.
By Veronique de Rugy
While President Joe Bidenâs administration doesnât seem to need an excuse to spend money, two recurring arguments for his gigantic $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal are that our roads and bridges are âcrumblingâ and that modernization would generate economic growth and jobs â hence its name, the American Jobs Plan. But none of this clever marketing makes any of these claims true.
Let me start by pointing out that, to the extent that people think about roads and bridges when they hear the word âinfrastructure,â they should know that only $621 billion of the $2.3 trillion is for transportation â and of that sum, only $115 billion is for repairing roads and bridges. The rest of the bill is mostly a handout to private companies that already invest heavily in infrastructure. These subsidies will come with federal red tape and regulation and hinder job creation, not bolster it.
White House Outlines Rural Infrastructure Investments within the American Jobs Plan dailyyonder.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailyyonder.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.