Clinton and Trump Both Focus on Infrastructure

Date Posted: August 11, 2016

Posted In: Ideas,

From Engineering News-Record:  As the presidential candidates step up their campaigns, they are talking up ambitious proposals to boost funding for transportation and other infrastructure investments. Construction-­industry officials welcome the focus on public works but say the plans aren’t fleshed out and face hurdles in the next Congress.

The Democratic nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has been pushing a $275-billion, five-year infusion for transportation, water, energy and other projects, including the launch of a federal infrastructure bank. Clinton has promised that, if elected, she will send Congress legislation within her first 100 days in office to carry out the proposal.

The Republican nominee, businessman Donald Trump, said little about infrastructure during his party’s July convention. But on Aug. 2 he floated an even larger public-works idea: a bond fund that, he said, would be “at least double” what Clinton envisions. He provided few specifics.

Jay Hansen, National Asphalt Pavement Association executive vice president, says, “On the upside, both candidates and party platforms do talk about the need to invest in our infrastructure.” But he says there are questions about both plans: “What can be passed in the next Congress? How are they going to pay for it—is it through tax reform? Are they just going to do another stimulus bill?”

Brian Turmail, spokesman for the Associated General Contractors of America, said via email: “Mr. Trump clearly understands the economic wisdom of investing in infrastructure in that it will both help create high-paying jobs in the short term and position the country for broader economic growth over the long term.” Turmail added, “But like many others, we are very anxious to see details of how he plans to pay for and administer his latest infrastructure proposal.”