Dear Member of Congress,
I am very concerned that ‘politics as usual’ will guide the President-Elect Obama economic stimulus package. Our nation has many roads, bridges, dams, schools, and levees that are in a state of disrepair across the nation. Combining the need for improving our economy and at the same time fix some badly needed infrastructure projects is a very admirable goal. I believe Americans support this effort.
My concern is that politics and more significantly, lobbyist will guide this effort. We need to have these dollars go towards fixing the worse of the worse projects. Roads that are crumbling, bridges that are on the verge of collapsing, levees that are unable to hold back another flood…fixing existing infrastructure projects that pose a critical risk to all Americans.
We need a process in place that will take an objective look at projects across the nation and evaluate, rate and prioritize those of the most urgent need. Money should not go to the project with the most powerful of backers, or those with a horde of lobbyist. We also don’t need to ‘leave it up to the states’. While I personally support states rights, this is so important that we don’t want politics to drive the efforts at the state level.
I would like to see a independent group established comprised of engineers, educators, planners and others who can evaluate projects on their merit and balance the competing interest to select the most needy of projects regardless of their purpose or where they reside. Inherent of what I am suggesting is that we place all our focus on fixing existing projects, not funding new projects.
Speed is also very important so that money can start flowing into the economy. I know this can be done quickly.
Americans voted in the recent election for change. I know a change of this nature is what I would like to see.
Sincerely,
Michael Orefice
1322 North College Avenue
Fresno, CA 93728
559-360-9225
Tags: Congress, economic stimulus, economic stimulus package, House of Representatives, infrastructur, President Obama, Senate
