Trump to Promote Infrastructure Agenda in Ohio on March 29
The potential economic benefits that would result from a robust infrastructure funding plan will be President Donald Trump’s focus when he addresses workers in Ohio on March 29, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters.
The president will address the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18 at a training facility in Richfield. He indicated advancing an infrastructure funding package is his legislative priority for the year.
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“Following the success of tax reform, infrastructure is the next piece of the president’s successful economic agenda,” Sanders said on March 28. Trump signed into law a tax policy overhaul late last year.
On Feb. 12, the White House proposed using $200 billion in unspecified federal funds to incentivize infrastructure investments capable of reaching $1.5 trillion over 10 years. Non-federal funds would drive most of the investments.
The proposed “principles” also include an incentives program in which states and municipalities would be able to qualify for matching federal dollars. Grants for governors to use for rural projects, as well as streamlining the permitting process for construction projects are key proposals. The outline cites tolling as a potential source of revenue.
Top administration officials have appeared before Congress to tout the proposal. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao told a Senate panel the White House insists on having an “everything is on the table” funding approach in regards to the federal component.
Earlier this month, Democrats in the Senate unveiled a $1 trillion infrastructure plan that would rely primarily on undoing provisions in last year’s tax reform law.
