March 5, 2021 By David Murray
“For the first time in 20 years, our infrastructure is out of the D range.” So proclaimed the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which released its 2021 Report Card for American Infrastructure March 3. This year, the overall grade for the nation’s infrastructure was a C-, up from a D+ four years ago. All the categories either stayed the same or advanced slightly. The new category of stormwater infrastructure, added this year, received a D.
While waterways improved slightly to a D+, ports received a B-, one of the best grades of any category.
The ASCE releases such report cards every four years. They drive discussion of the nation’s infrastructure needs both in Congress and in the media.
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative today released its 2021 U.S. federal priorities that focus on programs, policies and funding that are vital for the economic and environmental health of cities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
Chicago, IL (PRUnderground) March 5th, 2021
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative today released its 2021 U.S. federal priorities that focus on programs, policies and funding that are vital for the economic and environmental health of cities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
“We applaud the Biden Administration for making economic recovery, infrastructure development and environmental issues top priorities in its first one hundred days and believe that the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative’s federal priorities fit perfectly within that agenda,” said Mayor Mike Vandersteen, Chair of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
MASSENA — A COVID-19 relief package passed by the House early Saturday has been sent to the Senate. But along with it comes concern from Republicans that the relief plan
Sen. Joni Ernst is expected to use this slide on the Senate floor Tuesday. The bulk of this budget-busting bill is devoted to fulfilling a wish list of long-time liberal priorities, including billion-dollar bailouts, progressive program expansions, and pricey partisan pet projects, Ernst is expected to say on the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon.
House Democrats passed the nearly $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill on a mostly party-line vote over the weekend, sending the massive package to the Senate as lawmakers rush to provide a fresh round of aid before key unemployment programs expire. The Senate could move as soon as this week to pass its own version of the bill, which would look slightly different from the House proposal most notably excluding the $15 minimum wage increase after the parliamentarian ruled that its inclusion violates budget rules.
MASSENA — A $1.5 million appropriation for the Seaway International Bridge is included in the 591-page House Democratic COVID relief bill in response to the revenue reductions caused by the