Building in America Is a Political Decision, Not a Technical One
Infrastructure is the lifeline of progress. From bustling highways to high-speed internet, it is the backbone that powers our nation's growth and innovation. But here is the catch: our infrastructure is in need of a serious upgrade. And I am not just referring to rebuilding a bridge or the laying of pipelines; the U.S. government needs to reform the laws and legislation that govern these types of projects. At present, infrastructure programs have unfortunately fallen victim to the quagmire of political maneuvering and partisan gridlock. What should be initiatives driven by pragmatic solutions and the common good have instead become battlegrounds for ideological debates and political point-scoring. Take the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as an example. Passing this law was the result of highly politicized negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, emblematic of the broader partisan divides – with both parties advocating for investment in infrastructure but differing significantly on funding mechanisms and project priorities, reaching consensus required arduous com-promise. Democrats fought to include provisions addressing cli-mate change and social equity, while Republicans prioritized fiscal responsibility and regulatory reform.
And while states are actively developing new infrastructure, much-needed building projects remain delayed, diluted, or derailed altogether, leaving communities grappling with crumbling roads, aging bridges, and inadequate utilities. Reframing the way policymakers view and authorize infrastructure projects isn't just crucial, it is the key to unlocking our country's full potential and securing a brighter tomorrow. This preamble articulates the foundational principles and strategies needed for fostering a robust infrastructure landscape, with a particular focus on reforming general permitting, evaluating eminent domain practices, and ultimately, depoliticizing infrastructure projects to successfully build in the United States.
