By Virak Kchao
February 11, 2008

Burnsville (MN) Mayor Kautz opened the January 24 plenary session on infrastructure, by discussing the importance of a New National Infrastructure Agenda. Kautz praised Conference President Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer for bringing attention to the important issue of America’s infrastructure. She stated that mayors are the ones who are contacted and expected to act upon accidents within cities by discussing the bridge collapse in Minneapolis (MN) as an example of how mayors are the first responders to city accidents rather than state or federal officials.

Kautz said that the renewal and maintenance of city infrastructure is vital to the growth of the economy and quality of life for future generations. Not only should above ground infrastructure be a concern but underground infrastructure also needs consideration for cities to remain safe.

“The advancement of our telecommunications infrastructure is essential to remaining competitive in the 21st century global economy,” Kautz said. She stressed that working together in cooperation among cities was needed to sustain a national infrastructure.

“Decaying roads, which are owned by state and federal governments, are a burden on citizens,” Kautz said, “In the state of Minnesota, roads are rebuilt through property tax on citizens. The federal and state government need to play a larger role in helping with infrastructure.”

Kautz emphasized that a federal and state commitment to rebuilding infrastructure will provide a great stimulus to the economy. Kautz said that by rebuilding and maintaining our infrastructure allows for more jobs to be created within cities.