State Legislators Endorse National Infrastructure Bank - April 29, 2021
Channel: Coalition for a National Infrastructure Bank
Date: 2021-06-03

For more information:  https://nibcoalition.com

In this video, three state legislators discuss why they are supporting the NIB Coalition, and the efforts to get the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation to create a $5 trillion National Infrastructure Bank.

Representative Mary Jo Dailey speaks first.  She is the Democratic Chair of the Committee on Committees of the Pennsylvania state legislature.  She starts by noting how many people are excited about the idea of the NIB, because they know how important infrastructure is, and how difficult it is to finance it.  She focuses on the need for internet broadband access and repairs of our water systems.  She notes that the Biden plan is good, but we need to do more.  She also highlights the history of a national bank, and how the First Bank of the United States under Alexander Hamilton was located in Pennsylvania.

Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak is the chair of the Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources of the NJ state legislature.  He is one of the sponsors of NJ Assembly Resolution No. 115 calling for the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank.  Mr. Karabinchak notes that $1 Trillion in the American Jobs Program (the Biden Plan) is about $2.6 Trillion short of what's needed, just to bring our existing infrastructure up to a good state of despair.  Given that the NIB would enable us to close that gap without adding to our national deficit or debt, he says, "I don't know how this isn't jumped at immediately ".  He expresses optimism that Biden will be open to the idea.  Next, Mr. Karabinchak turns his attention to the "Gateway Project", which would replace the tunnels connecting the island of Manhattan with New Jersey.  In addition, flood barriers are needed.  Hoboken was built on marsh lands, and has always been susceptible to flooding.  Lead in the water lines is a cause for great concern.  If the NIB were in place, we'd be able to handle all this.  

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Assistant Speaker, State Assembly (ret.) of NY, speaks to us from Puerto Rico.  Mr. Ortiz describes how he has suggested to the Puerto Rico political leadership that they would introduce a resolution calling upon the US Congress to adopt legislation to create a National Infrastructure Bank.  He recounts some of the work he's done to promote the idea, including an op-ed, talking to the governor's office, sending letters and encouraging  other resolutions at the city council level.  Mr. Ortiz emphasizes the importance of the NIB from the standpoint of infrastructure that connects people in urban and rural areas.  He points to the way in which infrastructure has proven to be so important for China.  The high speed railroads there have allowed people to easily commute longer distances from rural areas to better paying jobs in the urban areas.   Infrastructure means access to services, and the NIB can help lessen the inequality we see in that regard.  He ends by calling upon the viewer to take responsibility to educate their state and local officials on these issues, and also for bringing high school students into the process.