Feb. 13, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement urging Congress to include streamlining of all federal permitting, excepting Davis-Bacon and allowing non-union shops to bid in any new infrastructure plan:
“If Congress is going to move forward with the President’s infrastructure proposal, it should be with a few assurances. First, there must be a full scale streamlining of all federal permitting processes, not just those attached to federally funded infrastructure projects, including on building refineries, power plants and factories, exponentially increasing private sector investment. Second, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements should be excepted from any of the infrastructure projects under the proposal to lower labor costs. Third, non-union shops should be allowed to bid on contracts under the proposal to truly have competitive bidding. If taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill for a part of this infrastructure proposal, it should be with the assurance that red tape won’t end up strangling the deal. Without real permitting and wage reforms, the private sector investment the plan calls will remain elusive — and throughout the rest of the economy, too. The infrastructure proposal provides Congress a valuable opportunity to review what are truly the regulatory boundaries that are preventing the private sector from making America build again.”
Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts.
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