If you’re not careful, federal funding can backfire.
have looked at the cost impact of individual provisions of federal rules like compliance with laws on prevailing wages and the Buy America Act, but overall, robust studies on the cost of complying with all federal requirements are elusive.on the additional time federal requirements impose on a project. The study compared like projects and held all nonfunding variables constant to ascertain just the impact of federal funding.
Some policymakers would declare that such an additional cost is acceptable because these are federal dollars and do not come at a cost to the state or community in which they are being used, i.e. it’s better to have 75 to 90 cents than nothing. But this thinking is faulty, as the next section will show.
The common case for federal funding for nonfederal infrastructure is something like: Current governmental infrastructure funding is woefully inadequate; infrastructure funding comes from federal and nonfederal sources; state and local governments are cash-strapped; ergo, the federal government should provide more funding.
Some would argue that raising federal taxes is more efficient. And while raising funds at the federal level is theoretically easier , states have raised gas taxes dozens of times since the last federal increase in 1993. Others would note that federal funds are necessary to pay for “projects of national significance.” One thing I learned quickly in my time serving in the White House is that virtually every community has a project of “national significance.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here's another reason to think twice before using your debit cardThieves are boosting efforts to get your debit card. Here's how to keep your information — and your bank balances — out of their hands.
Read more »
If You Thought Mueller Had Settled Matters, Think AgainIn today’s Washington, even the rule of law goes through the partisan wringer.
Read more »
Italy Signs Up to China’s Global Infrastructure Plan Despite U.S. IreThe governments of Italy and China signed an agreement to cooperate on Beijing’s global infrastructure plan, the Belt and Road Initiative, sealing an accord that has alarmed Italy’s U.S. and European allies.
Read more »
‘Cancel Brexit’ petition tops record 4 million signatures, crashing website at least twiceA petition to stop Brexit hits a milestone on the same day anti-Brexit protesters flood London by the hundreds of thousands, demanding a new vote.
Read more »
Boeing reportedly pushed engineers to develop 737 Max at twice the normal paceNew reports suggest that Boeing pushed the 737 Max to compete with Airbus.
Read more »
‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ Q&A: A glimpse into the stunning world of the one-armed ninjaAccording to the game's chief designer, grappling-hooks and white-knuckle fighting will highlight one of the year's most anticipated releases.
Read more »
22 Products That Will Make Your Closet Feel Twice As BigYou only have to stop buying new clothes when you run out of room for them, right?!?
Read more »
The uncomfortable reason you’re seeing dirt cheap airfares right nowHere’s what goes into the price of a plane ticket.
Read more »