Washington—In the Public Interest has issued the following statement by Executive Director Donald Cohen on the Trump administration’s infrastructure plan:

“The Trump infrastructure plan would put a giant ‘for sale’ sign on the country’s roads, bridges, water systems, and other infrastructure. Rather than invest in America’s future, the plan would encourage cities and states to hand over public infrastructure to Wall Street and global corporations.”

“Instead of creating good jobs, Trump’s plan would create more corporate profits. Instead of fixing roads and water pipes, it would ‘fix’ corporate tax codes to encourage higher tolls and fees and private control of public assets.”

“The plan is Chicago’s parking meter deal on steroids. It would leave communities desperate for funding while incentivizing them to sign shortsighted public-private partnerships that are costly and that—without strong protections—hand control of infrastructure to private investors.”

“Trump campaigned on helping everyday Americans, yet he hired Wall Street to write his infrastructure plan. As president of mega-bank Goldman Sachs, Gary Cohn pocketed hundreds of millions of dollars while tricking investors into buying the subprime mortgages that left millions without homes and crashed the economy.”

“There’s no question we need to invest in rebuilding our infrastructure for the 21st century, but it has to be done with taxpayers, not corporate profits, in mind. The federal government must support cities and states, including rural and urban areas, while encouraging projects that maintain public control, avoid costly tolls, create good jobs, and protect the environment.”

In the Public Interest’s research and guidance on infrastructure includes:

• A guide to help policymakers and taxpayers better understand and analyze public-private partnership infrastructure proposals, contracts, and related legislation.
• A report describing best practices to ensure that public-private partnership infrastructure projects help tackle inequality and create middle class pathways for disadvantaged communities.
• A report outlining goals and principles to ensure public-private partnerships are structured to benefit the public, local economies, and double-bottom line investors.

Contact: Jeremy Mohler, Communications, jmohler@inthepublicinterest.org, 301-752-8413

In the Public Interest is a nonprofit research and policy center advocating for the democratic control of public goods and services.