© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Critics: Trump administration plan for funding infrastructure invokes 'Hunger Games
Cities and states are bracing for Trump's infrastructure spending proposal, which is expected to be unveiled during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday. (Getty Images)

Critics: Trump administration plan for funding infrastructure invokes 'Hunger Games

An infrastructure funding plan that President Donald Trump is expected to unveil Tuesday is drawing comparisons to “The Hunger Games,” Politico reports.

What does this mean for cities and states?

Democratic lawmakers and mayors are concerned the plan will saddle cities and states with most of the responsibility for funding projects, according to the report. That could lead to lax oversight on projects or more privately managed toll roads, for example, as cities and states look for ways to complete needed projects.

Trump campaigned on a promise of a $1 trillion, 10-year blueprint to “rebuild America.” The initial plan promised to create millions of jobs while improving roads, airports and railroads.

But a federal spending plan of $200 billion is expected to be previewed during Tuesday’s State of the Union address. That amount must stretch across projects ranging from highways to rural broadband services and drinking water systems and veterans hospitals, Politico reported.

Trump's budget proposals have also suggested cuts to existing infrastructure programs at the Department of Transportation and the Army Corps of Engineers.

What are people saying?

“I think we’re down to minus about $200 billion, because I don’t think they have enough money to fund the current program, let alone anything on top of it,” Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) told Politico. “I don’t see any money from what I’ve seen so far at all. Zero. Not $200 billion, certainly not a trillion.”

Full details of the plan are expected to be revealed in two to four weeks, Politico stated.

Democratic Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel last week called the plan "fairy dust. ... It’s not real."

Some Republicans also have questions about the plan, which is still sketchy.

"A lot of it, I think, will come down to how is it paid for,” Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of GOP leadership who, as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told Politico. “And, you know, the substance will matter, I think, in terms of whether or not there's bipartisan support for it."

Want to leave a tip?

We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?