- A trillion-dollar, 10-year plan, largely taxpayer funded (over the long run, most of these projects generate more economic growth than the budgetary costs).
- A trillion-dollar plan that is chiefly paid for by a combination of user fees, maybe an increase in the gasoline levy, which hasn’t been raised since the 1990s, and through new revenue from corporate-tax reform (which is aimed at bringing back foreign income, at a lower tax rate).
- A privately financed plan with tax credits and other incentives.
- A smaller, more incremental program along the lines of recent government infrastructure efforts.
Trump’s Big Infrastructure Plans Will Stay Big
By: | Jan 29 2017 at 11:00 AM | International Trade
Infrastructure just resonates for Donald Trump—more than tax cuts, or confrontation with China or even the wall that Mexico isn’t going to pay for. He’s a self-styled genius builder and likes to think big.
There is a demonstrable need for major projects, with roads and bridges in disrepair, antiquated airports and seaports and a second-tier rail system. There is also a broad consensus that something will be done.
Trump envisions something really ambitious that he can push through Congress, on a bipartisan basis, and get the political credit for. It becomes a bit more complicated, however, when it gets down to specifics. A major infrastructure measure could be one of the following: