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Excerpts:
City of Providence
STATE OF
RHODE ISLAND
RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
NO.
285
Approved
September 14, 2020
WHEREAS, There is widely acknowledged a shortfall in
infrastructure spending in the United States, which was further
highlighted by the Army Corps of Engineers 2017 Report Card grade
of D+ and a call for $4.6 trillion in infrastructure spending to
repair the nation’s existing infrastructure. At least $2.1 trillion
is unfunded, and the remainder is inadequately funded; and
WHEREAS, The United States Chamber of Commerce
reports that there is a current shortfall in infrastructure
spending of approximately $3.7 trillion; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Society of Civil
Engineers (ASCE), Rhode Island’s 2020 grade for infrastructure was
C-; Bridges were graded D-, Drinking water C+, Energy C+, Ports C,
Roads, D and Wastewater C; and
WHEREAS, Citing a state by state analysis conducted
by First Street Foundation and Columbia University, Senator Jeanne
Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) recently
published and Op-Ed stating that Maine, New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have lost $403 million in coastal
property value due to sea level rise; and
WHEREAS, Governor Raimondo has prioritized
investment in roads and bridges to improve safety and reliability;
and
WHEREAS, A new National Infrastructure Bank (NIB)
could partner with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and work in
conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation
RhodeWorks program to provide necessary funding for the state’s
roads, bridges, water systems and other major infrastructure
projects throughout our local communities; and
WHEREAS, A new National Infrastructure Bank could
directly aid in fostering an economic recovery and build the
infrastructure projects our city, state and nation have neglected,
while spurring massive economic growth; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 6422-National Infrastructure Bank Act
of 2020 has been introduced in the United States House of
Representatives, which proposes the creation of a National
Infrastructure Bank, which would be capitalized at $500 billion and
invest $3-4 trillion with no new federal appropriation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Members of
the Providence City Council hereby endorse and urge Congress to
pass House Bill H.R.6422 the National Infrastructure Bank Act of
2020.
BE IT FURTHER RE.SOLVED, That, upon passage, copies
of this resolution be sent to each member of Rhode Island’s
congressional delegation. the Rhode Island Building and
Construction Trades Ccuncil, the Rhode Island Department of
Transportation, and to the President of the United States.
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