AGC Responds to President Obama’s Call for New Focus on Infrastructure

Following the State of the Union Address Tuesday evening, AGC called for a distinction between wasteful government spending and necessary infrastructure investments that are crucial to broad economic growth. Stephen E. Sandherr, the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, issued the following statement in response to the President’s call for new infrastructure investments during the State of the Union address: “In an era of fly specking the federal budget, the President was right to distinguish between wasteful government spending and necessary infrastructure investments. As do leading Republican officials such as Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, the President appears to understand the vital role efficient and well-maintained infrastructure plays in supporting broader economic growth. After all, companies can’t thrive and expand if their deliveries are late and their employees are stuck in traffic. “Investing in infrastructure now doesn’t just boost the private sector, it protects the taxpayers. That is because maintaining roads, bridges and water systems now, especially in today’s extremely competitive construction market, is a lot less expensive than repairing broken infrastructure later. “Congressional leaders can further protect taxpayers by enacting needed reforms that ensure public funds are invested in a manner that is accountable and effective. It doesn’t take an earmark to keep our traffic flowing and our bridges safe.” The response was noted in Engineering News-Record and Quincy (IL) Herald-Whig.