Rebuilding America was always a central part of Donald Trump’s political ambitions. His affirmative message and decades of real estate experience created a palpable sense among both the general public and the media that the President would bring a major infrastructure push to Washington. But from the very first months of his administration, it became clear the new White House team wasn’t ready with tangible ideas to match Trump’s grandiose rhetoric. With multiple missed deadlines and no official documents since the last budget release, the wait for the plan’s grand reveal stretched for months with seemingly no end in sight.
The wait is finally over—and it doesn’t feel worth it.
Rather than establishing a clear long-term vision for the country’s infrastructure that supports a more competitive and inclusive economy, the proposal is mostly a vehicle to indiscriminately boost spending. Even worse, the proposed cuts elsewhere in the FY 2019 Budget mean the administration is effectively asking everyone else – especially cities and states – to do nearly all the spending all while still claiming credit for new investments. There are certainly commendable elements within the 53 pages, but the core programs include too much cynicism and too little leadership. It’s a missed opportunity.
by Adie Tomer
Fellow – Metropolitan Policy Program
Feb 13, 2018
The Brookings Institutte