Infrastructure

June 24, 2021 — Paul Mirengoff

Here’s the deal [UPDATED]

Featured image It looks like there are now at least 60 votes to pass infrastructure legislation. That’s because a group of ten Senators, five from each party, has compromised on the matter. The compromise reportedly provides for $600 billion in new spending on roads, bridges and other traditional infrastructure projects. I’ve seen reports that the total package is closer to $1 trillion, so there is also spending on things that aren’t true »
April 5, 2021 — Paul Mirengoff

Is Biden’s spending agenda losing steam?

Featured image The Democrats’ coronavirus relief bill, which was about much more than relief from the economic impact of the virus, seemed to enjoy broad public support. The Dems hope that their next massive spending legislation, which it falsely advertises as an infrastructure bill, will be similarly popular with centrists and some on the center right. That hope isn’t unrealistic on its face. According to the Washington Post, early polling showed some »
March 31, 2021 — Paul Mirengoff

Biden’s farcical infrastructure bill

Featured image There is widespread support for using federal money to improve the nation’s infrastructure. Donald Trump favored doing so, but never put forth legislation. Now, Joe Biden has unveiled an infrastructure bill of sorts. Unfortunately, his proposal is so bad that even the Washington Post has noticed. The first problem with Biden’s bill is that it isn’t much about infrastructure. The Post reports: Many economic experts agree that significant investments in »
November 17, 2016 — Paul Mirengoff

Infrastructure spending, a critique

Featured image This past summer, Harvard economics professor Edward Glaeser wrote a powerful critique of infrastructure spending. His article, which appeared in the City Journal, was a response to a proposal by Bernie Sanders to spend $1 billion on public infrastructure. But Glaeser’s arguments apply to similar proposals by other politicians and might well apply to the proposal Donald Trump offers, assuming he follows through on his pledge to rebuild America’s infrastructure. »
November 17, 2016 — Paul Mirengoff

Schumer identifies common ground with Trump

Featured image While Democrats around the country try to “process” what happened last week, wily Chuck Schumer is planning what will happen next year. The soon-to-be Senate Minority Leader announced that, unlike Republicans during the Obama years, the Democrats won’t reflexively oppose whatever the president proposes. Instead, they will consider each proposal on its merits and work with President Trump when they consider his proposals meritorious. Schumer isn’t just saying this to »