- White House issues state-by-state breakdown of infrastructure needs in the United States as part of effort to gain support for its $2 trillion infrastructure proposal
- Connecticut needs include 2,100 miles of highway and 248 bridges in poor condition
- Proposal also provides support in areas ranging from caregiving to clean energy, prompting Republicans to argue that the scope of the proposal is too broad
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
President Joe Biden has issued a state-by-state breakdown of infrastructure needs in the United States, and plans to use the data in a meeting with Democratic and Republican lawmakers this afternoon to help make its case for a $2 trillion infrastructure proposal.
The White House describes the proposal, the American Jobs Plan, as “an “investment in America that will create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China.” It previously released fact sheets contending that the plan will support racial equity and rural communities.
The summary for Connecticut argues that the plan would help address improvements needed in the state including:
- Refurbishment of 2,100 miles of highway and 248 bridges in poor condition
- 19 percent of trains or other transit options past their useful life
- An additional $4 billion needed in drinking water infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years
- $689 million in necessary maintenance for schools
- 44 percent of residents living in a “childcare desert”
- 18 percent of residents living in an area with only one broadband provider and 12 percent of residents lacking an internet subscription
The summary also says the plan would provide support for resilient infrastructure that is better able to withstand severe weather events, rent-burdened individuals, manufacturing investments, home energy, clean energy jobs, caregiving, and veterans health.
Republicans have charged that the bill casts too wide a net with its proposals and doesn’t do enough to address traditional infrastructure. They have also voiced opposition to Biden’s proposal to fund the initiative by raising the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent.
