Trump rolls out infrastructure plan hinged on state, private dollars

[DonViejo]

Source: NBC News




FEB 12 2018, 1:12 PM ET

by JANE C. TIMM

The White House unveiled its long-awaited infrastructure plan on Monday, proposing $200 billion in federal spending that it says will ultimately spur a $1.5 trillion investment over the next 10 years.

The plan includes $100 billion in "incentives" that would require local and state governments to pony up big bucks or partner with private companies to unlock federal dollars. While the government will judge several criteria when considering whether or not to give out infrastructure dollars, the biggest will be outside funding.

The proposal sets the stage for unprecedented private investment in public infrastructure, and the president took the opportunity Monday to remind those assembled at the White House of his own private-public success story. As a real estate developer, Trump completed long-stalled renovations on the ice skating rink Central Park in 1986 ahead of schedule and under budget. Democrats pounced on the plan immediately, pushing back on the outsize role local and private funding would have to play.

“The president’s infrastructure proposal would do very little to make our ailing infrastructure better, but would put unsustainable burdens on our local government and lead to Trump tolls all over the country," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, R-N.Y., said in a statement, referring to the use of tolls by private companies to profit from infrastructure.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-rolls-out-infrastructure-plan-opening-door-private-investment-n847161

[Hermit-The-Prog]

1. smoke, mirrors, cronyism

More loot and scoot.

[greymattermom]

2. So the plan is for states to raise taxes?

Where eise will the money come from? You have to build roads before tolls can be charged.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. And states aren't allowed to run deficits.

Which means the projects will never get done.

[icymist]

4. Trump Tolls! What a great phrase!

If these people in the GOP would get their way they would put a meter on the air we breath if they could figure out how.

[Roy Rolling]

5. $200 Billion?

$200 billion of federal dollars? The INCREASE alone for defense was $80 billion this year. $200 billion is nothing.

[Botany]

6. Trump using O.P.M. other people's money

the gas lighting of America continues.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

7. Of course, Trump said it was "the biggest and boldest infrastructure project ever"

What was the interstate highway system, chopped liver?

"Trump tolls." I like it.

[angrychair]

8. Toll booths in every neighborhood

Or gas will shoot to $6 or more a gallon.

Trump’s vision is one where travel, healthcare, housing and high speed Internet is beyond the average American.
America will become the home of the rich, land of powerful.

A land where average Americans are wage slaves, jailed and forced into labor camps to work off debts and fines and daily compounding interest. Where we buy everything from the trump company store. A land in which the only name on the ballot is a someone with the last name of trump.

[Cold War Spook]

9. So the feds pony up $200 billion and another $100 billion in incentives.

That's great, the states only have to come up with $1.2 trillion.

[cstanleytech]

10. 200 billion is "NOT" a 1.5 trillion plan like the right have been trying to pretend it is.

[bucolic_frolic]

11. States don't have the money to do this

Where will they find the money? Women, children, healthcare? So Trump can fatten his cement contractor buddies?

Raise the gas tax? Soon it will be cheaper to live in a neighborhood and bicycle.