IN SUPPORT OF A STRONG AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE

WHEREAS, a healthy American economy relies on an expansive and well-maintained infrastructure to transport people, products, materials, water, energy, and a variety of other goods; and

WHEREAS, cities, regions, and metropolitan planning organizations are particularly affected by the strength of America’s infrastructure, as businesses and citizens need a system that works to move products and for travel; and

WHEREAS, investments in smart growth infrastructure are critical to helping communities become more vibrant, sustainable, and competitive in the 21^st century economy; and

WHEREAS, for state and local governments, tax-exempt municipal bonds are the most important tool available for financing critical infrastructure projects such as primary and secondary schools, hospitals, water and sewer systems, roads, highways and streets, public power facilities, and mass transit projects; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, the American Society of Civil Engineers assigned America’s infrastructure a grade of D+ overall, and estimated an investment of $3.6 trillion that would be needed to bring U.S. infrastructure up to an acceptable level; and

WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided $48 billion to more than 15,000 infrastructure projects across the country; and

WHEREAS, the MAP-21 transportation reauthorization provided a total of $109 billion for FY13 and FY14 to fund surface transportation programs, covering highways, safety, and transit; and

WHEREAS, the President’s FY14 budget proposal includes a number of provisions that would improve American infrastructure, including: a $50 billion “fix-it-first” policy for high-priority projects, leveraging private investment through a “Rebuild America Partnership,” streamlining federal agency review of projects, using $10 billion to create a National Infrastructure Bank, and expanding the highly popular TIGER and TIFIA programs,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports efforts by Congress, the Administration, and State governments to upgrade, expand, and strengthen American infrastructure by making the appropriate financial investments and by partnering and coordinating with local governments and stakeholders.