Sen. Amy Klobuchar Proposes National Infrastructure Plan

[question everything]

WASHINGTON—Sen. Amy Klobuchar wants to devote more than $1 trillion to rebuild the nation’s aging network of roads, highways and bridges, in a proposal that aims to break the partisan logjam in Washington. Mr. Trump campaigned in 2016 on an infrastructure plan that has so far failed to materialize. Sen. Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat who is running for the party’s 2020 presidential nomination, would seek $650 billion in direct federal funding for infrastructure, more than three times the amount that Mr. Trump has prescribed, to repair roads and bridges, rebuild public schools and expand broadband internet across the nation.

The senator’s infrastructure plan is the first of its kind from a Democratic presidential contender, and she plans to make it a centerpiece of her campaign and the type of solution she could achieve by working with Democrats and Republicans alike. “America needs someone who will deliver on their promises and get things done for this country,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “This plan is about bringing our country together. Building bridges is not just a metaphor—this is what I’ve done and what I will continue to do as President.”

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Congress has thus far failed to reach consensus on a package. Improving the nation’s infrastructure remains one of the president’s unfulfilled promises as he seeks re-election. Sen. Klobuchar’s plan would focus on improving highways and bridges, including the nation’s more than 50,000 bridges deemed structurally deficient, while enhancing the nation’s seaports, airports and rail systems. It would also emphasize fixing schools facing disrepair, improving public transit systems serving low-income neighborhoods, and strengthening wastewater treatment systems to provide clean drinking water. Sen. Klobuchar’s proposal would also provide Midwest communities dealing with extensive flooding with greater flood protection, an issue the senator is expected to discuss this week in Iowa. She would also set a goal of connecting every home to the internet by 2022, a concern in rural communities.

Beyond the $650 billion in federal funding, Ms. Klobuchar’s plan would create an independent infrastructure financing authority that would leverage $250 billion to $300 billion in direct loans and loan guarantees and issue a series of bonds that would support nearly $400 billion in investments in projects.

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/sen-amy-klobuchar-proposes-national-infrastructure-plan-11553767200 (paid subscription)

[Bradshaw3]

1. Solid proposals

More candidates should follow her lead.

[LongtimeAZDem]

2. Excellent proposal

[dlk]

3. Excellent! US Infrastructure Has Become Third World

Our country has needed major infrastructure maintenance and upgrades for decades.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. For those of us who are or were DFL ers

this has been a major talking point for decades. Always killed off by Business Interests near the end of every Legislative Session.

Something old that is new and it works.

[Andy823]

5. K&R nt

[c-rational]

6. A great plan, but why not ask an engineer about rebuilding our infrastructure. The American

Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has been rating our infrastructure as a nation for years. We typically get an overall D or D+. They project it will take 4 trillion to repair. If you have ever done a repair project, expect unknowns and additional costs. My projection is 6 trillion over 10 years, and get the money from the stock market and banking industry. Charge a small tax on every trade and hit the banks up for their fair share, considering they and not main street got bailed out in the 2008 meltdown. And throw in a fair tax on companies like Walmart, Google, Amazon and General Electric who pay no corporate tax through loopholes and crafty accounting.