Building America's Future:  Statement of Principles

Whereas the United States will not remain economically competitive with nations that are investing heavily in infrastructure unless we maintain and improve our infrastructure;

Whereas the federal government’s share of public investment in transportation, water, and other types of infrastructure has declined to the point where state and local governments account for three out of every four public dollars being spent on infrastructure in the United States;

Whereas the United States has, in the past, recognized that infrastructure investment is a key stimulus for short-term economic growth and job creation that also yields long-term benefits;

Whereas the United States cannot achieve energy independence, environmental sustainability, or greenhouse gas reductions without making fundamental changes to federal infrastructure policy to address those goals;

Whereas as state and local leaders, we witness first-hand how important infrastructure is to the safety, security and quality of life of our citizens and communities;

Now, therefore, Building America’s Future resolves to advocate for federal infrastructure investment guided by the following principles:

Vision: The federal government needs to advance a new national vision for infrastructure policy that focuses on economic growth and global competitiveness, creation of economic opportunity for all Americans, and environmental sustainability.

Funding: The federal government must provide significantly greater resources to ensure that the nation’s infrastructure needs can be met without placing undue burdens on states and localities or on future generations of Americans.

Merit and Accountability: U.S. infrastructure investment should be based on merit and accountability at all levels of government. The federal government should fund programs and projects that advance national priorities, and states and localities should be held accountable for ensuring that projects are completed on time, on budget, and meet rigorous performance standards.

Streamlining and Innovation: The federal government should streamline bureaucratic processes and allow greater flexibility to enable states and localities to use federal infrastructure funds quickly, efficiently and effectively, and to leverage innovative approaches to financing infrastructure investments, consistent with the national vision.

Urgency: The new Administration should make developing a new national infrastructure policy a top priority and immediately call on Congress and the federal agencies to implement this policy.