Next month, the Senate Commerce Committee is expected to review the President’s $1 billion plan to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says there are a pair of obstacles to passing any infrastructure legislation. He says that includes coming up with the right funding formula and avoiding political log jams such as letting upcoming election concerns override the need to pass the measure.
He says for an infrastructure bill to be successful it must address agricultural concerns.
Steenhoek says having states more involved in sharing with funding the national legislation with matching funds is worth discussing. He also says it’s important to not depend on funding itself to solve transportation challenges but to make the funding that’s provided go further.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune of South Dakota says its critical to come up with the proper funding mechanism for infrastructure and not borrow money to pay for it.
