Event Summary
Brookings hosted the third in a series of forums on U.S. competitiveness, a public symposium that explored the challenges and opportunities for new infrastructure investment. Thomas Vilsack, former governor of Iowa and of counsel at Dorsey & Whitney LLP, provided opening remarks. The discussion included experts on transportation and competitiveness policy, drawn from government, industry and the states.
The fiscal deficit, tight budgets and an absence of clear priorities appear to be constraining this country from sufficient investment in its bridges, roads, airports, ports and broadband systems. But, given the benefits of a solid foundation, can we afford not to invest more in this infrastructure? Since existing rules and policies may be inadequate, more discussion is needed to set up policies, regulations, rules and institutions that encourage effective investment in the right kind of infrastructure in the right places. Innovative ideas range from changing the budgetary treatment of new investments to new state-federal-private partnerships.
Following a welcome by Bruce Katz, vice president and director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, Thomas Vilsack, former governor of Iowa and of counsel at Dorsey & Whitney LLP, provided opening remarks. This two-panel discussion included experts on transportation and competitiveness policy, drawn from government, industry and the states.