NIB REPRESENTATIVES ADDRESS NATIONAL LATINO FARMERS AND RANCHERS CONFERENCE, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Press Release

October 30, 2021

The benefits of a National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) for rural America were presented at a Conference of the National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association (NLFRTA) held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As the Keynote speaker on October 29, Alphecca Muttardy, a Macroeconomist with a national Coalition supporting the NIB, explained that HR 3339, a bill in the current session of Congress, would create a $5 trillion public bank to lend for infrastructure projects all across America. Without relying on any new Federal taxes, deficits, or debt, the NIB would provide adequate new financing to rebuild and expand: transportation, water, and power systems; high-speed rail; and affordable housing and broadband. 

A major emphasis of the National Infrastructure Bank would be to support the economic development of rural America, including the farmers and ranchers who live and operate there. Improvements expected to be financed by the NIB would include:

·       Water Infrastructure + Water Management: Safe drinking water (NO lead pipes), sewer, and stormwater systems. Mega Water projects to address Western drought through water redistribution, desalination, capturing rainwater in local aquifers, and irrigation and agricultural conservation. Water is critical in Western states to offset the current trend where farmers are cutting back on acreage, and selling herds on account of water shortages.

·       Connecting Rural America: Improved local roads and bridges, and inland waterways, to move agriculture goods to market. Affordable broadband everywhere, to improve farm technologies, and provide tele-education & health. High-Speed Rail to stimulate local growth and improve local municipality revenues. Electric Grid Resiliency and new, smart grid technology to move Renewable energy from farms to consumers.

·       Equitable Community Development: Create millions of local, family-sustaining jobs. Promote community development, including in Rural Towns, and Traditional & Native American regions. Build schools and train workers in new industries. A NIB Trust Fund provides grants to very low-income areas.

·       Top Up USDA Financing: including for community development, and regenerative farm practices to combat Climate Change.

After Mrs. Muttardy delivered her Keynote address, the Congreso then heard remarks from Congressman Danny Davis (D-Ill.), lead sponsor of HR 3339, who developed the key themes of the bill. He underscored the fact that only HR 3339, configured to invest $5 trillion into U.S. infrastructure, was big enough to tackle all the infrastructure problems which need to be solved.

Mrs. Murtardy then joined a lively panel discussion that elaborated the benefits of the National Infrastructure Bank for the American people. Also appearing on the panel were: Sen. Bill Tallman (District 6, Albuquerque, New Mexico Senate), Rep. Joy Garratt (District 29, Albuquerque, New Mexico House of Representatives), and Dennis Montoya, past New Mexico District Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Rio Rancho. The panel was chaired by NLFRTA Government Affairs Director Joel Segal, a longtime Capitol Hill staff official best known for drafting the original Medicare for All legislation for Congress.

The National Infrastructure Bank formed the main theme of NLFRTA's “Congreso,” held on October 28-30, 2021. It was hailed by participants as the equivalent of a Marshall Plan for rural America. At its conclusion, the Board and membership of the National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association unanimously adopted a resolution in support of HR 3339, The National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2021. They have already joined the legion of local supporters who are urging their members of Congress to pass this critical piece of legislation.