Infrastructure talks face new trouble as pressure mounts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators were running into new problems Monday as they raced to seal a bipartisan infrastructure deal with pressure mounting on all sides to show progress on President Joe Biden's top priority.
Heading into a make-orbreak week, serious roadblocks remain. One dispute is over how much money should go to public transit. But spending on highways, water projects, broadband and others areas remains unresolved, too, as is whether to take unspent Covid19 relief funds to help pay for the infrastructure.
Democrats and the White House sent a fresh "global" offer to resolve remaining issues, but it was rebuffed early Monday by Republicans as "discouraging" — a setback for a hoped-for afternoon deal.
Biden, asked about the outlook, told reporters at the White House he remained optimistic about reaching a compromise.
The week ahead is crucial after more than a month-long slog of negotiations since Biden and the bipartisan group first celebrated the contours of the bipartisan agreement in June at the White House.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said he wants to pass the nearly $1 trillion bipartisan package as well as the blueprint for a larger $3.5 trillion budget plan before the Senate leaves for its August recess.
The White House wants a bipartisan agreement for this first phase, but as talks drag on anxious Democrats, who have slim control of the House and
Senate, could leave Republicans behind and try to go it alone. If it fails, it could be wrapped into the broader package of Biden's priorities that Democrats are hoping to pass later.
Adding to the mix, Donald Trump issued a statement Monday disparaging Senate Republicans for even dealing with the Democrats on infrastructure, though it's unclear what influence he has. The former president had failed at an infrastructure deal when he was in office.
The bipartisan package includes about $600 billion in new spending on public works projects. Democrats want to see more of the money go toward boosting public transportation, which includes subways, lightrail lines and buses, in line with Biden's original infrastructure proposal and the push to address climate change.
The Democrats and the White House had sent what they called a "global" offer to Republicans on remaining issues late Sunday, according to a Democratic aide close to the talks and granted anonymity to discuss them.
But Republicans rebuffed the ideas, according to a GOP aide also granted anonymity to discuss the private talks. The aide said the new proposal attempted to reopen issues that had already been resolved.
The Republicans believe the White House will need to show more flexibility if the talks are to be successful, the aide said.
The bipartisan group originally appeared to be moving toward agreement on more money for transit. But Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, the top Republican on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees public transit, raised questions. He cited, in part, previous Covid-19 federal relief money that had already been allocated to public transit.
"Nobody's talking about cutting transit," Toomey said Sunday. "The question is, how many tens of billions of dollars on top of the huge increase that they have already gotten is sufficient? And that's where there is a little disagreement."
Typically, spending from the federal Highway Trust Fund has followed the traditional formula of 80% for highways and 20% for transit. Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Tom Carper of Delaware say they will oppose the deal if transit funding falls below that.
In the latest offer, Democrats had accepted the Republican proposal on highway spending, contingent on Republicans agreeing to the Democratic position on public transit, the Democratic aide said.
"Transit funding is obviously extremely important to the president — the 'Amtrak President,' as we may call him," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday. "But we believe that members can get this work done and can work through these issues quite quickly."
The senators also appeared to have resolved issues around public water infrastructure funding. The group had an agreement to add $15 billion deal with lead pipe contamination beyond funds already approved in a Senate water bill.
Blueberries are a summer favorite, great for snacking, baking, topping your oatmeal and so much more. This nutritious fruit also adds a bit of brain power to your diet and beauty to your landscape with spring blooms, fall color, and of course tasty and colorful fruit.
Blueberries are one of the most nutritional foods loaded with antioxidants that fight cancer, disease, and the effects of aging while helping preserve your eyesight. Boost the benefits by growing your own blueberries. The act of gardening helps strengthen our muscles, increase flexibility, fights stress and boosts our mood.
Do a bit of research to find the best blueberry for your garden and dining pleasure. Planning ahead prepares you for placing your order when you are ready to plant. Anxious gardeners can put their research to work immediately. Blueberry plants are still available from some nurseries for those who are ready to plant now.
Select the blueberry plants suited to your growing conditions. Northern highbush blueberries are productive and suited to moderate climates with at least two months of temperatures below 40- degrees Fahrenheit. Southern highbush blueberries only need 200-300 hours of 32-45 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to produce fruit. This makes them a good choice for those gardening in milder climates. Lowbush blueberries are low-growing varieties native to Northeastern United States. Half-high blueberries are a cross between low and high bush blueberries, tolerating -35 to -45 degrees Fahrenheit, making them a good option for colder climates. Rabbit-eye blueberries are large shrubs and suited to areas with long, hot summers and mild winters.
Newer compact varieties allow small space gardeners, apartment dwellers and those with less-than-ideal soil the opportunity to grow their own blueberries. These smaller plants are suitable for containers as well as the garden. In addition to their compact size and tasty fruit, several have attractive foliage, adding to their ornamental appeal. The Leaves of Pink Icing variety is a mix of pink, blue and deep green. Boxwood enthusiasts will enjoy the foliage and dark blue fruit of Blueberry Buckle. And for those who cannot get enough fruit, check out Perpetua that produces two crops a year.
Find a sunny, well-drained location where your plants will thrive, produce a bountiful harvest and you can enjoy their beauty. Although most blueberries are self-fertile (you only need one plant to produce fruit), you’ll get better results when growing several in your landscape or containers.
Consider including several varieties with different ripening dates to extend the harvest season.
Blueberries are particular about their growing conditions. They prefer moist, well-drained and acidic soils. Properly prepare the soil by adding organic matter like compost, aged manure, or peat to the planting bed. Or grow your blueberries in a container filled with quality potting mix. Water in-ground and container plantings often enough to keep the soil moist. Mulch the soil with shredded leaves, evergreen needles, or shredded bark to keep the roots cool and moist and add organic matter to the soil as the mulch breaks down.
And don’t forget to protect your harvest from hungry birds. Cover plantings with netting or try scare tactics to keep the birds and other wildlife from devouring your harvest.
Once you harvest your first ripe blueberry, you will discover there is nothing better than the flavor and satisfaction of consuming something you grew yourself.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener’s Handbook and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses ”How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment program. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.)