I would imagine that I’m just like most of you in the sense that one of my primary issues for the Presidential Election is infrastructure. I feel the candidates need to be talking about it as often as possible. So I was pleased to see that the first-ever presidential candidate forum on infrastructure was recently held on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
The forum was hosted by the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, United for Infrastructure of which the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is a host committee member. It was titled, “Moving America Forward: A Presidential Candidate Forum on Infrastructure, Jobs, and Building a Better America” and was moderated by the Wall Street Journal. Presidential candidates Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Amy Klobuchar and businessman Tom Steyer were in attendance to talk about the future of the nation’s infrastructure. All the leading candidates from both parties were invited to take part.
There were questions from voters from Nevada and across the nation. Candidates were asked how their infrastructure agendas will improve communities, strengthen the economy, create jobs and promote safety and national security. The candidates discussed how infrastructure affects every American’s life: access to jobs, education and health care; withstanding climate change and resilient systems that increasingly face environmental disasters, fires, and drought; how our country can stay globally competitive and more. They also focused on the importance of modernizing our current infrastructure systems while building new and smarter infrastructure.
ASCE Executive Director, Tom Smith said, “(The) conversation with the presidential candidates on critical issues facing every American from wastewater and drinking water infrastructure to fixing the Highway Trust Fund demonstrated that there is a clear recognition of infrastructure as a priority for the next Administration and the American people."
He continued, “Our nation is at a crossroads. Deteriorating infrastructure is not only impeding our ability to compete in a thriving economy, but it is also holding back advances to prepare us for the future. Each American family is losing [1]$3,400 in disposable income each year – more than $9 a day – due to poor infrastructure. Modernizing our infrastructure is one of the only areas today where there is bipartisan agreement, and Americans were finally able to hear from the candidates on their ideas to modernize our roads and bridges, water systems, electric grid and more. We are thrilled many of the candidates have plans devoted to infrastructure and we look forward to working with our nation's current and future leaders— in a bipartisan manner— to modernize our infrastructure and ensure that our country is sustainable, resilient, innovative and globally competitive."
It’s not surprising to me that according to the ASCE, a recent poll of voters in key swing states found broad support for infrastructure: 89% of voters agree that infrastructure is a unique opportunity for politicians to set aside partisan debates and work together to get something done, and 68% think politicians in Washington devote too little attention to providing clean air and water to the next generation and repairing our roads, bridges and public transportation system. 91% support bold federal investment over the next decade to rebuild and modernize America's infrastructure. Support for a national infrastructure plan is consistent across demographic groups, including rural and suburban voters.
At least we’re still talking about infrastructure. Right?