Research Report Funding and Investing in Infrastructure
Michael A. Pagano
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Funding and investing in infrastructure are not only about finding adequate resources to meet the demands of citizenry, but rather requires understanding of how infrastructure fits into the broader functions of government. This brief examines the key role of pricing infrastructure projects and how the total cost of a project (including lifetime maintenance costs) should be included in funding decisions. Current federal and state policies often encourage new building rather than maintenance and care of existing infrastructure. The role of public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects is also sometimes more about political rather than economic considerations. The author presents options to better coordinate infrastructure financing and payments across levels of government.
Research Areas Economic mobility and inequality Neighborhoods, cities, and metros Taxes and budgets
Tags Fiscal policy Infrastructure Federal urban policies Transportation State and local tax issues Federal budget and economy Community and economic development
Policy Centers Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center