Higgins Announces Passage of $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Bill

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced approval of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. The bill, co-sponsored by Higgins, dedicates more than $1.5 trillion to rebuilding America’s infrastructure and creating American jobs.

(To access video go to: https://youtu.be/zHb4yEFHlwo)

Higgins spoke in support of the bill on the House floor saying, “This American nation building program is the largest in American history…at a time when our nation is desperate for economic growth.”

Recently standing near the Scajaquada Expressway where it splits Buffalo’s Olmsted-designed Delaware Park, Higgins previewed several components of the bill which provide new opportunities to reimagine Western New York’s infrastructure.

Highlights of the Moving Forward Act are provided below.

ROADS & BRIDGES:

• $500 billion to rebuild America’s crumbling roads and bridges, includes strong Buy American provisions.
• Addressing Deficient Bridges & Connecting Communities: Congressman Higgins made sure funding provided for bridge repair can be used for removal of structurally deficient bridges like the Buffalo Skyway and pressed for language that supports removal of failing infrastructure to reconnect communities. Higgins points to the Kensington Expressway (Route 33) and the Scajaquada Expressway (Route 198) as examples of transportation projects which historically divided neighborhoods and Buffalo’s treasured Olmsted Parks. 
• Community Transportation Investment Grant Program: $600 million per year grant program for local investments in projects to improve safety, state of good repair, accessibility, and environmental quality through infrastructure investments. Transportation system access, including improved access to jobs and services and reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be taken into consideration.
• Projects of National and Regional Significance: $9 billion over 5 years for large projects that reduce congestion on roadways. Projects in areas of persistent poverty that use innovative technology or construction techniques and improve connectivity are favored.
• Metro Performance Program: $750 million over 5 years allocated to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (such as GBNRTC) to advance locally selected projects.
• Airports: $3-$4 billion annually for airports, $1 billion for air traffic control facilities
• Land Ports of Entry: $100 million for infrastructure improvements at Land Ports of Entry
• Public Transportation: $8.3 billion for bus facilities, and energy efficient fleet upgrades
• Recreational Trails: $250 million in grants to support connected active walking or bicycling networks
• Rail: $19 billion for the Passenger Rail Improvement, Modernization, and Expansion grant program with at least 40% reserved for the Northeast Corridor; $29.3 billion for Amtrak

CLEAN WATER:

• Safe Drinking Water: $25 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and other programs to ensure communities have clean drinking water
• Reducing Lead Exposure: provides $4.5 billion annually for grants to replace lead-based water infrastructure, prioritizing distressed communities
• Sewer Infrastructure: $40 billion in wastewater infrastructure
• Clean Lakes & Rivers: $2.125 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) which has funded the restoration of the Buffalo River
• Protected Coasts & Waterfronts: $50 million through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is authorized for shoreline resilience, 10% of which must be used for Great Lakes projects

AFFORDABLE HOUSING & COMMUNITY INVESTMENT:

• $100 billion to help reduce housing inequality, improve hazardous living conditions, and increase access to affordable housing
• Neighborhood Homes Investment Act: Higgins’ bill with Rep. Mike Kelly, the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, is included in the legislation. The bill creates a Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit to encourage the rehabilitation of distressed homes in low-income Census tracts.
• Historic Tax Credit: Increases the Historic Tax Credit from 20% to 30% for 2020 through 2024, phases down to 26% in 2025, 23% in 2026 and returns to 20% in 2027. The substantial rehabilitation deadline for current projects is extended by 12 months to ensure projects are not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• New Markets Tax Credit: Makes permanent and expands the New Markets Tax Credit program, set to expire this year, which provides tax credits to for investments in low-income communities.
• Urban Parks: Establishes a new grant program through the Department of Interior to increase access to parks, prioritizing urban and underserved communities.
• Community Development Block Grants: $10 billion distributed through the Community Development Block Grant program targeted specifically for affordable housing
• Affordable Housing for Seniors & People with Disabilities: $2.5 billion for the Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program and $2.5 billion for the Supportive Housing for Elderly program
• State & Local Assistance: Allows certain infrastructure projects to be funded with 100% federal dollars, as opposed to the traditional 80 federal/20 local match. Restores bonding mechanisms helpful to states and localities that were eliminated in the 2017 tax law.
• Home Energy & Weatherization: $1 billion annually for a rebate program for insulation, air sealing and HVAC system improvements; $3.5 billion annually for energy conservation block grants to state and local governments

SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS & BROADBAND:

• Schools: $130 billion toward school infrastructure including a priority to address the needs of high-poverty schools
• Health Care Facilities: $30 billion to upgrade healthcare centers including: $10 billion annually for hospitals and medical facilities, $10 billion annually for community health center capital needs, $4.5 billion for a pilot program to improve infrastructure at labs to support coronavirus testing
• Broadband Access: $100 billion to expand internet infrastructure in underserved communities and give school children greater access to Wi-Fi and digital equipment

In the most recent “Infrastructure Report Card” the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nation’s infrastructure a near failing grade – a D+.  Four in ten bridges are over 50 years or older, an estimated 240,000 water main breaks occur each year due to aging water infrastructure, and 24% of public school buildings are in fair or poor condition.