The event was timed with policy initiatives swirling around Washington as the new administration takes office, with two trends emerging: Cut the budget, whether through Congress or via DOGE; and NO mention of INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING!

Unprecedented “natural disasters” are on the rise, from the ravages of Hurricane Helene to the wildfires raging through California. All of these will require increased spending for infrastructure. Additionally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will expire in 2026. There is no discussion of reauthorization, which will require $550 billion in new money.  

Simultaneously, the budget deficit in 2024 was $1.8 trillion! Projections are for continuing shortfalls over $1 trillion per year for the next decade. Discussions of “budget cutting” are wafting through Washington and in state legislatures. 

Not to be outdone, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is demanding $2 trillion in additional budget cuts. Budget cuts, i.e. austerity, cause layoffs and retrenching, and could even bring on a recession leading to further financial shortfalls and deeper deficits. You cannot cut your way to growth! Just ask Europe. 

The National Infrastructure Bank is an off-budget institution which would inject $5 trillion in new investment in infrastructure projects only. It could cover the additional infrastructure rebuilds in North Carolina and California, and everything else. It has a proven track record. Similar banks built in the nation under identical circumstances. It would build the nation and ensure we grow out of our debt problems.

H.R.4052, the National Infrastructure Bank Act in the 118th Congress, ended with 48 sponsors, over double the amount in the 117th Congress! It cuts the Gordian Knot of budgetary impasses as it is “off-budget”. We are moving to reintroduce this year. 

Support is already mounting. The New Jersey and Maryland State legislatures have introduced endorsement resolutions in January, and more are planned. The Bellingham, Washington City Council just passed a resolution of support. 

Please watch this important event. 

Speakers:

Alphecca Muttardy, former Senior Economist, International Monetary Fund, Fairfax, Va

Ellen Brown, Esq., Founder Public Banking Institute, Los Angeles

Asw. Carol Murphy, New Jersey Assembly, Mount Laurel

Rep. Jason Morgan, Michigan House of Representatives, Ann Arbor

Asm. Don Guardian, New Jersey Assembly, Atlantic City

Asw. JoAnne Simon, New York Assembly, Brooklyn 

Melissa Patterson Hazley, Kansas City Missouri City Council, Kansas City

David Robinson, Director of External Affairs Manufacturing Renaissance, Chicago

Sen. Bill Tallman, New Mexico Senate, Albuquerque

Moderator: Jack Hanna, retired attorney, former Chair Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Indiana, Pa