You are all invited to the third Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) Issues Forum..  Anyone may attend or participate by telephone.

(ISSUES FORUM SUMMARY) 

TOPIC:          Collapsing Overpasses, Crumbling Roads, and Bridges to
                       Nowhere:  Why We Need Strategic Infrastructure
                       Investment to be Competitive in a Global Economy
 
SPEAKERS:   Susan Binder, U.S. Department of Transportation
                       Jim Kolb, U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure
                       Committee
                       Lisa McLean, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
 
TIME:            10:30 until 12:00, Wednesday March 26

PLACE:         Offices of Wiley Rein LLP
                      1776 K Street, NW
                      Main Conference Room (street level)

                       Washington, DC 20006

COST:           $10 for CPA members
                      $20 for non-CPA members
 
 
DETAILS:  The Minnesota bridge collapse and New York steam pipe explosion last year heightened the nation's awareness to a crisis that has been in the making for decades: Americašs infrastructure and infrastructure policy are in a shambles.  Our system is vastly under-funded, increasingly unsafe, and bereft of strategic vision. The American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated national infrastructure needs at more than $1.6 trillion over the next five years U.S.  Yet we continue to fund our infrastructure at a fraction of the rate of our major trading partners.  Meanwhile, our manufacturers, workers, and farmers are being placed at a sizable competitive disadvantage. Strategic infrastructure development represents an opportunity to stimulate the economy with domestic jobs and materials while building long-term competitive advantages for American exports.  It is time for our local, state, and federal governments to act.
 
Our speakers will address the scope and nature of our infrastructure problem, its impact on American competitiveness, and funding options.

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association has created a good primer on the issues we will discuss.  Its report, "A New Vision & Mission for America's Federal Surface Transportation Program", can be found at www.artba.org/pdf/ARTBA_3C_Whitepaper.pdf

Space is limited.  For reservations, please respond to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
The CPA is a unique grass-roots coalition of agricultural, labor and manufacturing interests.  The Issues Forum is open to all, members and non-members alike.  The Forum seeks to facilitate informed discussion of a wide range of public policy issues that impact American competitiveness. For more information on the CPA, visit www.prosperousamerica.org
http://www.prosperousamerica.org> .
 
We hope to see you on the 26th.
 
Charlie
 
Charles H. Blum
Executive Director
CPA Issues Forum
666 11th Street, NW
Suite 810
Washington, DC 20001
 
Tel. 202-393-8600