The Francis Scott Key Bridge is far from the only critical crossing around the United States that is at risk of coming down if a ship were to hit it. A New York Times story about bridges at risk highlighted several in the PNW, including two that span the Columbia River.
Tag: Critical Infrastructure
Posted inNational Defense, Policy Topics, Public Planning
Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses after catastrophic overnight ship strike
Last night, the cargo ship Dali struck and caused the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, hindering marine traffic and impeding Port of Baltimore operations. The incident sent vehicles and workers into the water, with rescue efforts and NTSB investigations ongoing. President Biden has called for congressional funds to rebuild the span.
Posted inPublic Planning
A public bank could help Washington tackle the growing threat of climate damage
If Washington is going to deal seriously with the impacts of global warming, including making the necessary investments throughout the state, then it should embrace the promise and potential of public banking.
Posted inPolicy Topics
There’s a better way to fight inflation, save jobs, and curb a recession: Create a Hamiltonian National Infrastructure Bank
This guest post from macro-economist Alphecca Muttardy discusses the need for legislation that could strengthen our economy and reduce our infrastructure deficit: H.R. 3339.
Posted inEvents
President Biden stops in Portland to tout Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The United States is finally taking meaningful steps to address its painfully deep infrastructure deficit, President Joe Biden declared today to a supportive crowd in Portland during his first visit to the Beaver State as Commander-in-Chief.
Posted inPolicy Topics
Democrats’ legislative wins won’t resonate unless they get better at framing, storytelling
Will the Democrats who advocated for Amtrak (only a handful of House Republicans voted “yea” on infrastructure) find a way to “sell” to the public what will be substantial improvements in public services?
Posted inPolicy Topics
71% of Washington voters surveyed back Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework
More than seven in ten likely 2022 Washington voters support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework that President Joe Biden will sign into law on November 15th, 2021, a statewide poll conducted for the Northwest Progressive Institute has found.
Posted inPolicy Topics
Bipartisan infrastructure bill clears U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support
President Biden is expected to quickly sign it into law while Congress continues work on the remaining pieces of his Jobs and Families Plan, which have been merged into one piece of legislation that has become known as the Build Back Better framework.
Posted inPolicy Topics
Will Democrats unite to defend good deeds of the Biden-Harris administration, or snipe while Republicans fire their guns?
Progressive and partially conservative Democrats are split on how quickly to approve infrastructure. The Republicans are directing their fire at the priorities included in the budget reconciliation process. Can Democrats unite to wage a strong front in the midterms?
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
A momentous day: U.S. Senate gives final approval to bipartisan infrastructure bill
Bipartisan legislation to invest serious money in tackling America’s persistent infrastructure deficit has won final approval, with more than a dozen Republicans crossing the aisle to deliver a lopsided margin of victory for President Joe Biden’s top legislative priority.
Posted inLegislative Advocacy
Bipartisan infrastructure bill advances in U.S. Senate, but still faces hurdles to passage
The compromise legislation, which has the support of the White House, is being hailed by the Biden-Harris administration as a groundbreaking set of investments in everything from bridges and broadband to mass transit and water pipes.
Posted inParty Politics, Policy Topics, Public Planning, Public Service
Unacceptable: Privatization appears to be a key facet of the bipartisan infrastructure deal
Wall Street was well represented in these infrastructure legislative framework negotiations. The diverse constituencies that make up the American public? Not so much.
Posted inTechnology
Frontier Communications to leave Cascadia; PNW assets sold to WaveDivision Capital
Nine years after taking on debt to buy Verizon’s assets in the Pacific Northwest, Frontier Communications is offloading those same assets in a $1.35 billion sale to Kirkland-based WaveDivision Capital, which must be approved by regulators.
Posted inPolicy Topics, Public Planning
U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee protects transit investments in Washington
Billions of dollars in sorely needed funding for mass transit and infrastructure projects in Washington State will be included in the Fiscal Year 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill now moving to the full United States Senate, Patty Murray’s office announced today. “Today, a bipartisan group of senators came together to reject [Donald] […]