Americans Want Infrastructure Spending
Frank Luntz, of all people, positively gushes over the results of a new poll he’s run about the concerns of Americans on infrastructure spending:
Consider this: A near unanimous 94% of Americans are concerned about our nation’s infrastructure. And this concern cuts across all regions of the country and across urban, suburban and rural communities. Fully 84% of the public wants more money spent by the federal government — and 83% wants more spent by state governments — to improve America’s infrastructure. And here’s the kicker: 81% of Americans are personally prepared to pay 1% more in taxes for the cause. It’s not uncommon for people to say they’d pay more to get more, but when you ask them to respond to a specific amount, support evaporates. (That 74% of normally stingy Republicans are on board for the tax increase is, to me, the most significant finding in the survey.)
Luntz also makes the point that support for infrastructure spending is geographically broad too, Americans understand that infrastructure is more than roads and bridges and that they are clear on accountability:
The poll found that Americans are far less interested in doing projects quickly than in doing them right. “Don’t screw it up” would be a more popular rallying cry than “get it done.” Washington should not mistake the message of the November election and the desire for change with an “at all cost” mentality. In the poll, 61% chose “accountability” as their first or second priority in any government investment — not the creation of jobs (34%) and not that the investment be truly national in scope (25%).
And while Americans want accountability, transparency and citizen input to priorities, they also undestand why infrastructure is so bad:
78% of Americans polled say government is responsible for the failure of America’s infrastructure. They don’t think the problems can be solved in the first 100 days of a new administration in Washington.
As they say, read the whole thing. I’m surprised at those numbers too, but I suspect that when you spend much of your adult life watching your government (at all levels) re prioritize infrastructure expenditures to meet other demands, at some point you get that part of the commons is just deteriorating. Luntz says that this sends a message to Congress especially for the stimulus spending, but I also think that this sends a message to state and local governments who may be receiving some of this money — not only do you really not want to mess this up, you may want to take a hard look at the business of shuffling local infrastructure projects to the bottom of the deck.
Tags: Stimulus Plan 2009
do I hate america if I want my roads and infrastructure improved and don’t care if we get rid of the river crossers and towel heads?
Americans don’t hate taxes, they want to see what their taxes produce – they want to see the benefits.
I think Americans realize that you get what you pay for. I think a lot of people really started understanding that during Katrina. To me, Katrina was a turning point in the way America thinks. It’s when I stopped being the strange, anti-war liberal feminist and started being regarded as more mainstream.
How will the GOP handle this? Their entire platform (excluding social issues) is based on the mantra that taxes are evil.
“they want to see what their taxes produce – they want to see the benefits”
Because we all know that government always adds value and productivity to the economy, for every dollar it takes and spends.
Somehow I think Americans would rather keep more of what they earn than have government producing “benefits” for them, courtesy of federal bloat.
Maybe Luntz should run a poll on satisfaction with the tax burden in America.
Also, re: Luntz see : Penn & Teller’s “F*** you, Frank.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wySaC_z12GY
I think Americans realize that you get what you pay for.
I think that this is right — but I think that Americans have been subject to a parade of expenses and projects that don’t make sense or just seem out of control. It is crazy to provide a tax subsidy to a developer and not improve roads or traffic flow.
Some years back the City was going through some financial crisis and my neighborhood assosciation had the Police Chief in to talk about some issues. Some of what he discussed was the challenge of covering costs and we suggested to him that if the City raised taxes that they had to promise (by statute) use to pay police and first responders, we’d pay that. He seemed really surprised at that, and this was probably 25 people agreeing to it. It isn’t a city-wide referendum by any stretch, but I think that there is a lesson in being clear about what you spending. Which is why they never want to release the check register.
Let’s see the TVA, roads,bridges, train stations, airports and Dams and over one thousand schools all under FDR and you can still see the results today. I also for got to mention the USS Intrepid air craft carrier.
On a local note, I have been cautioned by the budget hierarchy that Delaware is really not in line for that much funding, and only those projects already “packaged”, meaning existing and bidded, as a renovation, addition, or reinforcement will be considered. It is a real tease for all we stand in need of. Disappointing to say the least.
those projects already “packaged”, meaning existing and bidded, as a renovation, addition, or reinforcement will be considered
This is what is meant by “shovel-ready” for the infrastructure line. There are other funds in unemployment and additional grants for medicaid and other things that may help boost local budgets for existing programs. But no state should expect a miracle.
Also it is my understanding that more projects can be ready to go for the Government is waiving the states matching funds. this process will save several months as the states will not have to find bond funding.
Reading what Joanne is saying I thought the Appointment of Ms Wicks was supposed to fix that since she is supposed to be in a position of a President of a National Transportation Secretaries Club
I for one would like the train from Philly to stop in Wilmington on Sunday.
Because picking someone up from Marcus Hook sucks.