The highly anticipated "job speech" by President Obama this evening will address, among other issues, the infrastructure bank. Michael Likosky argues that it is the only possible revenue stream for the nation's $600 billion infrastructure projects.
The idea behind the infrastructure bank (I-Bank) is straightforward. Upon the creation of a federal agency that oversees the financial arrangements of infrastructure projects, the government would provide incentives in the forms of loans and loan guarantees just enough to attract private investors who would pick up the tab and finance the rest.
But the legislation faces three major hurdles, according to Likosky. Unlike other economic stimulus measures, the I-Bank does not deliver instant results. This makes it a tough sell among politicians with impatient constituents. Additionally, the initial investment of $5 billion per year for several years lies on the high end of the spending gamut relative to the budget deficit.
Then there is the inherent political gridlock in Washington estranged of bipartisanship. Deploring federal involvement in just about every proposed legislation, congressional Republicans prefer the state-run alternative like the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank. "[C]onservatives don't like government's involvement in the I-Bank, even as facilitator. They think it will merely add more bureaucracy," notes CNN Money reporter Chris Isidore.
FULL STORY: Infrastructure Bank: Fixing how we fix roads

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie