Bipartisan infrastructure bill’s passage is a victory for Nevadans
There’s a lot for Nevadans to like in the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is awaiting President Joe Biden’s signature after House passage on Friday. The state will receive at least $4 billion in targeted funding in the package, and can compete for billions more in federal grants over the five-year duration of the legislation, to address an array of needs such as rebuilding roads and bridges, boosting rangeland firefighting forces, curbing global warming, improving public transportation and much more.
Among the elements that will directly benefit the state:
■ $2.5 billion for highway repairs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs over the five years of the legislation. According to the White House, this funding will help the state repair 28 bridges and more than 1,000 miles of highway that have been deemed in poor condition, causing commute times to increase nearly 8% in the past 10 years.
■ $459 million to improve public transportation. This opens the door to some exciting possibilities, especially in Southern Nevada, where an expanded and modernized public transportation system that includes light rail is an essential need.
■ A minimum of $100 million to improve broadband internet coverage across the state, which will be geared toward aiding the 125,000 Nevadans who lack high-speed connectivity but also includes federal subsidies to help low-income families afford internet access.
■ $38 million to expand the electric-vehicle charging network, along with an opportunity to apply for $2.5 billion in grant funding to build even more charging stations.
■ A competitive grant program offering $450 million for large-scale water recycling projects, such as one proposed through a partnership between the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California that would benefit the entire region by significantly reducing demand from Southern California on water from the Colorado River. In total, the bill provides $8.3 billion for Western water infrastructure and drought resilience over five years.
■ At least $8.6 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $12 million to protect against cyberattacks.
■ $293 million over five years for infrastructure development at Mccarran International Airport and other airports throughout the state.
Nevada also will benefit from funding that is aimed at other states but will have regional impact on our water shortage, our climate and our infrastructure. That includes $3.4 billion in wildfire prevention, which was secured by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-nev., and will be of particular help in Western states where climate change has caused fires to grow in scale and intensity.
Southern Nevada’s congressional delegation deserves a hand for supporting the package, and in several cases contributing elements to it. For example, Rep. Susie Lee, D-nev., teamed with Cortez Masto by introducing the funding for large-scale water recycling projects in the House. Rep. Dina Titus, D-nev., secured funding for child passenger safety through education, outreach and providing child safety seats in underserved communities.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-nev., took a leading role in establishing the broadband subsidy for low-income families. All five of our region’s members of the Senate and House voted for the package.
Nevada’s only other delegate, Republican Mark Amodei of Northern Nevada, voted against it, claiming it disproportionately favored urban areas. Wrong — it benefits Nevadans from border to border through cleaner air, greater broadband access, better highways, etc. And let’s remind Amodei of something vitally important to Nevada: Anything that benefits Las Vegas helps the entire state, as our community is the economic engine that drives Nevada.
And that’s not to mention the millions of jobs that the infrastructure act will create nationwide, including many in Nevada.
When voters in Amodei’s district go to the ballot box to reelect him, they should remember that he turned his back on the state’s infrastructure and climate needs, its workers and its economy.
As for Cortez Masto, Rosen, Titus, Lee and Horsford, they did the right thing for residents statewide. Thanks to their votes, Nevada will be better armed in our efforts to rebuild and modernize our infrastructure, protect our water supply, curb global warming and pave the way for continued growth and vitality.