Tuesday, August 10, 2021
MADISON, Wis.—This morning U.S. Senator Ron Johnson once again highlighted his obstructionist bonafides with a “no” vote on the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill cleared the Senate by a vote of 69-30.
How the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will benefit Wisconsin:
$5.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs
$79 million to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network in the state. Wisconsin will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill
$595 million to improve public transportation options across the state
Minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 318,000 Wisconsin residents who currently lack it. Additionally, 22% of people in Wisconsin will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
“Senator Johnson has once again abandoned Wisconsin workers and families by voting no—this time opposing a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director.“Senator Johnson had no problem voting for 2017’s $1.9 trillion tax giveaway for him and his wealthy donors and special interests, but apparently this bipartisan, historic investment in Wisconsin workers and infrastructure was a bridge too far. I guess when you’re a worse-than-average Senator, a C grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers sounds pretty good. Wisconsinites deserve a Senator who will work across the aisle to get things done for the Badger State.”
Last week, Opportunity Wisconsin called on Senator Johnson to “put his politics of obstruction aside and put the people of Wisconsin first.” In recent comments, Senator Johnson said “it’d be pointless” to read the bill, since he already knows he’ll vote against it.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will Deliver for Wisconsin
Repair and rebuild our roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Based on formula funding alone, Wisconsin would expect to receive $5.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years. Wisconsin can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities. In Wisconsin there are 979 bridges and over 1,949 miles of highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 2.8% in Wisconsin and on average, each driver pays $547 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework will devote more than $312 billion to transform our nation’s transportation infrastructure and make it more resilient, including $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system.
Improve healthy, sustainable transportation options for millions of Americans. Based on formula funding alone, Wisconsin would expect to receive $595 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state. Wisconsin residents who take public transportation spend an extra 62.7% of their time commuting and non-White households are 5.9 times more likely to commute via public transportation. 29% of trains and other transit vehicles are past useful life.
Build a network of EV chargers to facilitate long-distance travel and provide convenient charging options. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Wisconsin would expect to receive $79 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state. Wisconsin will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.The U.S. market share of plug-in electric vehicle (EV) sales is only one-third the size of the Chinese EV market. The President believes that must change. The bill invests $7.5 billion to build out the first-ever national network of EV chargers in the United States and is a critical element in the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to accelerate the adoption of EVs to address the climate crisis and support domestic manufacturing jobs.
Help connect every American to reliable high-speed internet. 5.5% of Wisconsin residents live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there is no broadband infrastructure. Even where infrastructure is available, broadband may be too expensive to be within reach. 14% of Wisconsin households do not have an internet subscription. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Wisconsin will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 318,000 Wisconsin residents who currently lack it. And, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 1,246,000 or 22% of people in Wisconsin will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
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