Klobuchar's Infrastructure Call Puts Pressure on 2020 Field

[brooklynite]

Bloomberg

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar became the first Democratic presidential candidate to release a detailed federal infrastructure plan, calling for $1 trillion in investment and putting pressure on a wide field of contenders to come up with their own proposals.

The Minnesota Democrat unveiled the plan on Medium.com on Thursday, saying she would raise corporate taxes, provide $650 billion in federal funding and revive a billion-dollar bond program that subsidized states and local governments that borrowed money for roads, bridges and airports. She said she would push to get her infrastructure plan approved in her first year in office.

President Donald Trump so far has failed to make headway on his campaign promises to enact his own $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan, which Klobuchar called a "mirage." While the need for infrastructure investment has become a bipartisan issue in Washington, it has stalled amid disagreement over how to pay for such a program.

"There’s a pressing need for infrastructure investment, not just roads and bridges, but water, wastewater and airports," said Matthew Chase, executive director of the National Association of Counties, a group that represents more than 3,000 counties.

[PeeJ52]

1. There's the ticket...

That is what will make the economy boom. Get those tax cuts back, put that money into infrastructure JOBS. Good, high paying, skilled labor, construction infrastructure jobs, where middle-class people can put their money back into the economy by buying houses and cars. I was waiting for someone to introduce this. It's been there for the taking all along.

[lark]

2. Whoohoo Amy coming through with a brilliant idea, even how to fund it!

I love our Dem nominees, they are so good across the board! She's definitely in my top 5 - at this minute. I love this plan as its not being done to enrich really rich people at the expense of the working class, forever! drumpfs' plan, which died once he announced it, was to discount the cost to rich folks by 84% of the cost of the repair, but they owned it then and could charge fees" forever. It was a totally horrible idea which only helped the rich, not the rest of us. Her idea is soooo much better for the vast majority of Americans. The women are really stepping it up, I am so proud!

Bring on the debates!

[mn9driver]

3. Every candidate for the democratic nomination needs to do exactly this.

2020 is going to be all about Trump, all the time unless we can drown him out with many realistic and highly detailed proposals for governing. We need lots and lots more of this or we will be overwhelmed by the bullshit machine.

[Sherman A1]

4. REBUILD AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE

America’s infrastructure is showing its age. Roads are cracking, bridges are becoming less stable, our schools are aging and our ports can’t accept the new, larger boats that are made possible by the expansion of the Panama Canal.

Not only are these degradations a danger to Americans, but they’re costing this country money and jobs. By some estimates, our infrastructure problems could cost us as much as $1 trillion per year and 3.5 million jobs. Every time you’re stuck in traffic is lost time.

We need to immediately invest in infrastructure. Not only can we avoid the negative repercussions, but we can create up to 15 million jobs over a ten-year period. The Federal Reserve and IMF both estimate that every dollar spent on infrastructure earns $1.5-$3 back. And we’ll decrease deaths related to the poor condition of our roads and bridges.

We can also use this opportunity to modernize our infrastructure, including power plants, sewer, and water systems, and public transportation systems. We can look to invest in a nationwide fiber-optic network. We can also use this rebuild to experiment with innovative new technologies, such as solar-cell roadways, used to generate free electricity for the surrounding communities.

https://www.yang2020.com/policies/rebuild-america/

[allgood33]

5. Each one, preach one!!! Each of our candidates needs to and does have a single important issue

that he or she can speak to in depth and in a way to make simple an concise.

Then all of our candidates ought to embrace each one's solid, doable ideas in such a way that minor differences in iimplementation don't even matter. But there should be no debate about the importance of all their positions.

And yes, we are FDR Democrats and much more!! WE CARE, DO YOU? (Hey, did I just come up with a motto for 2020?)