O’Malley to Unveil “New Agenda for American Cities and Communities”

'While the Republican presidential candidates continue to focus on a litany of issues that seem to focus on foreign policy — the war on ISIS in Syria, immigration and refugees, terror attacks and national security — the Democrats are now moving toward some pressing national interests within U.S. borders. Namely, issues that are important to the quality of life in America’s big cities and policies that affect the 80 percent of Americans who live in them. . .

“Our metropolitan areas are engines of innovation and leaders in sustainability,” O’Malley said in a statement about the agenda. “They foster competition, inclusiveness and creativity that allow communities to flourish. As a result, American cities from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles are building strong, resilient local economies — breaking down cycles of poverty, laying the foundations of a clean energy future, and restoring investments in our common good.”

O’Malley breaks his urban improvement plan into three parts: rebuilding our nation’s urban infrastructure; spurring investments in economic development and our clean energy economy; and ensuring safe, healthy and equitable communities for all.

The problem for funding urban infrastructure is, of course, political in nature. Republicans control the U.S. Congress and 30 state legislatures — where much of the funding originates — and their power base is in sprawl and rural areas rather than with Democratic-controlled inner cities. Hence, transportation projects, for example, often focus too much on building new highways rather than maintaining or improving existing ones. . .

There is also a short-term gimmick approach to federal spending on anything these days, where the can is kicked down the road and decisions on whether the gas tax should be raised to keep up with inflation tend to be avoided. The key point raised by all three Democratic candidates is that the U.S. is not spending nearly what it should on urban infrastructure: The share of our GDP devoted to infrastructure investment, already low when compared to other developed countries, has fallen by half over the past 35 years.

O’Malley focuses on transportation improvements as key, but does not just say that more asphalt to fill potholes solves the problems. His approach is to restore the Highway Trust Fund, move from gas taxes to mileage-based user fees, and double federal funding for regional and locally directed transit projects.

“Mobility is central to the American Dream,” O’Malley said. “But today, an over-reliance on one mode of transportation — the car — and an underinvestment basic infrastructure have eroded our freedom and ability to move, to get to work and to connect. The next president must empower Americans to choose the mode of transportation that meets their needs and preferences. By building safe, modern, and integrated transportation systems, we can provide better access to economic opportunities, create jobs, lay the groundwork for a clean energy economy, and improve the quality of life for all Americans.”' >>>

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/omalley-unveil-new-agenda-for-american-cities-and-communities-plan