Editorial: Infrastructure spending is the best stimulus plan

‘ ‘ ‘ President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to bring change to Washington, but he might end… ‘ ‘ ‘ President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to bring change to Washington, but he might end up emulating Franklin Roosevelt in his plan for how to bring the economy out of recession. ‘ ‘ ‘ The idea of public works projects brings to mind images of workers from the 1930s toiling to build dams, bridges and other infrastructure in order to provide jobs and counteract the Great Depression. But Obama supports infrastructure spending and could make it a central part of a stimulus package Democrats are expected to bring before Congress later this month. ‘ ‘ ‘ Many experts ridicule infrastructure spending for being too slow and time-consuming to counteract the effects of an economic crisis, and they argue instead for stimulus checks and bailout packages that give money out as it’s needed. ‘ ‘ ‘ They also criticize the slow turnaround on public works spending, citing the fact that large public projects take years of planning and development ‘mdash; time when nobody benefits from the project. ‘ ‘ ‘ Some also worry that these projects could lead to an increase in pork-barrel spending, wasting money that could go to other projects or more direct stimulus instead. ‘ ‘ ‘ Obama could be onto something with this plan, though. Despite criticism, infrastructure and public works spending could be key to pulling the United States out of the current recession, especially now that it looks like it could go on for far longer than many estimates predicted. ‘ ‘ ‘ Public works projects are slower than direct stimulus packages. Building a bridge takes longer than signing a check, and thus it takes longer for the economy as a whole to benefit from these projects. Instead of an extra stimulus check, these projects simply provide the same wages any other job would, which necessarily reduces how fast people will spend it. ‘ ‘ ‘ But what’s different about infrastructure spending is the added benefit it provides outside of economic stimulus. It helps people directly in the form of repairs or public benefits, like by providing repairs to public schools and office buildings or performing necessary upkeep for crumbling bridges and water systems. ‘ ‘ ‘ Public works projects can provide beneficial urban renewal and more efficient infrastructure systems, and the benefits of these projects endure for years longer than the quick fix of stimulus checks. Even after the work is done, the project itself still remains and gives a tangible benefit to anyone who uses it. ‘ ‘ ‘ For instance, Pittsburgh’s ‘Three Sisters’ bridges ‘mdash; the Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges ‘mdash; were built between 1924 and 1928 by the Allegheny County Department of Public Works and are still a crucial part of transportation in the city today. ‘ ‘ ‘ Residents of Allegheny County recognized the benefits of public works spending last Tuesday, as they voted in favor of a referendum allowing the state to incur $400,000 of extra debt for the construction and upkeep of water and sewer systems. ‘ ‘ ‘ These projects create more long-term benefits than stimulus checks and also provide needed jobs. ‘ ‘ ‘ They are simply a more attractive and socially conscious way to improve the economy and the well-being of American citizens. Hopefully Congress sees it the same way.