AFP urges policymakers to apply conservative principles to infrastructure spending

Americans for Prosperity has called infrastructure spending “wasteful” and said that it has cost American families too much. The statements were part of an op-ed piece written by AFP Vice President of External Affairs Christine Harbin for the Washington Examiner.

Harbin wrote that there was a lot happening with regard to transportation and infrastructure that is under the radar.

“President Trump gave considerable attention to prioritizing infrastructure on the campaign trail and called for a plan ‘that produces a $1 trillion investment’ in his recent address to Congress,” she wrote in the op-ed. “The administration appears to be putting together early plan details, and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Penn., indicates he may introduce a package in the summer or early fall for consideration.”

She asked how Republicans can control national spending but yet support private investment for infrastructure projects.

Harbin suggested that one of the ways the GOP could help save taxes and fix infrastructure was to use taxpayer dollars on roads rather than beautification projects.

She also recommended giving more financial control back to local government bodies.

“One possible change would be lifting the prohibition on charging tolls on the interstate highways, so that states and the private sector can get on with the business of improving these vital economic pipelines,” Harbin wrote.

She stated that policymakers should abide by conservative principles to save money and improve the country.