Legislature’s select infrastructure committee eyes moment of opportunity

With millions of dollars flowing from the federal government to the state, the Legislature’s Select Committee on Infrastructure is aiming to be ready with an overview.

“I think it’s going to be very important for us to do our due diligence and make sure this one-time money that we’ll probably never see again, to make sure we spend that in the most efficient way possible, using that money for good infrastructure projects,” said Delegate John Hardy, R-Berkeley, co-chairman of the infrastructure committee.

The select infrastructure committee meets starting in early June, with an immediate emphasis on highways, always a hot topic.

The legislators are getting active right as millions of dollars flow from the federal government.

State government just recently received $677,774,994 from the American Rescue Plan Act, pushed by the Biden administration and passed on party-line votes by the Democratic majorities in Congress.

Overall, West Virginia is receiving $1.355 billion with the second allotment coming in about a year. A large portion of that funding can go toward infrastructure needs.

Guidance from the U.S. Treasury says the money may be used to support public health expenditures, address negative economic effects of the covid-19 pandemic, replace lost public sector revenue, provide premium pay for essential workers and invest in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

Meanwhile, President Biden and Congress have been negotiating a separate infrastructure package — with continuing differences over what’s an appropriate funding amount, how to pay for it and what even constitutes infrastructure.

Delegate Hardy, speaking on “Panhandle Live,” said it’s important to carefully consider how that money can be spent most strategically.

“I don’t expect to start seeing expenditures of that money until probably around September,” said Hardy, who also serves on the House Finance Committee

“It’s going to take a little while to make sure we are putting together plans. We have time. We don’t need to rush into projects and not do our due diligence and planning.”

Meanwhile, it’s important to examine West Virginia’s many needs, said Senator Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, the co-chairman of the infrastructure committee.

“Hopefully we’ll have discussion with a lot of this federal money coming in. It could go toward a lot of water and sewer needs in our state,” Clements said in a telephone interview.

“If we want to have any type of growth in this state, we’re going to have to have good infrastructure. If we don’t, we’re lost.”

Much discussion during the infrastructure committee meetings over the next few months will involve organizations from around the state, Clements said. “What do we need? What are the needs out there?” he asked.

Every area of the state is certain to describe needs with highways, water, sewer and broadband.

“We’ve got a lot of need. I look in my own district. We’ve got a lot of water problems, outdated distribution systems that need to be brought up to date. How do we get to that point?” Clements said.





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