No, not on whom you supported yesterday. Although I must say that our 44th president-elect was the only candidate to acknowledge the importance of infrastructure to global competitiveness.
In addition to proposing a national infrastructure bank that would invest $60 billion over 10 years, Candidate Barack Obama addressed water conservation. He prefers the common-sense approach of managing supplies on a national rather than state-by-state basis, and favors rate structures that punish waste.
On the other hand, both he and John McCain declined to vote on the first Water Resources Development Act to be approved in seven years, which authorized more than 700 Army Corps of Engineers flood control and environmental restoration projects.
As we know, what a candidate says and what he does often differ. But whether or not President Obama's ideas gain traction, an independent movement's afoot to develop another economic stimulus package that would include infrastructure.
The House's $60 billion proposal includes $13 billion for roads as well as one-time infusions of $6.5 billion and $1 billion, respectively, for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (monies would be available only until Dec. 31, 2009 and projects would have to be ready to go within 120 days of approval). The Senate's version failed on a procedural vote, but that little glitch isn't dampening enthusiasm for the idea.
As you can image, everyone's clamoring for a piece of the pie. Road builders, for example, want Congress to finally provide funding necessary to let 3,000 approved projects that have been on hold for who knows how long.
In the meantime, you'll be expected to provide service with fewer resources than ever.
Which brings me back to the beginning: getting your vote.
Our annual 'forecast' survey provides the only nationwide snapshot of financial resources for both operations and capital improvements, and is the foundation of our January 2009 issue. Click hereto complete this short survey. Responses are anonymous unless you submit contact information for one of 10 $25 American Express gift cards we'll be giving away to randomly selected recipients.
