Lansing State Journal: Mayor Andy Schor: Federal funds, national support will help Lansing 'Build Back Better'

MAYOR ANDY SCHOR, LANSING STATE JOURNAL

Throughout the course of the pandemic the City of Lansing, State of Michigan and entire nation have had to face once-in-a-lifetime challenges. The economic fallout and resulting housing, healthcare, childcare and education issues are having a daily impact on the lives of so many. Federal action needs to be taken to address the extreme struggles brought about and heightened by COVID-19.

The conversations in Washington D.C. have real consequences and impacts on our communities. Lansing’s residents have needs, and the support being discussed at the federal level will help transform our city and provide needed resources.

Lansing is the Capital City of Michigan — residents and visitors need and expect improvements for roads and sidewalks, updated water infrastructure, efficient and effective electrical infrastructure and so many other physical and civic infrastructure needs. We are ready for the federal government to finally engage with infrastructure assistance, and we cannot afford to wait.

Infrastructure is not our only need. President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda provides the framework to help with many of issues that we are facing — including making housing more affordable, bringing down the price of prescription drugs, providing access to education, giving middle-class families tax cuts for daycare and healthcare, providing clean energy tax credits, and allowing parents to get back to work through the Child Care Tax Credit.

The Build Back Better agenda would be a historic investment that would ultimately transform America, cut taxes for working families and position our economy for long-term growth.

Lansing residents are hard-working and resilient. We will get through the pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty together. To position cities like Lansing, as well as the entire country, for future success and long-term growth, we need the Build Back Better plan passed now. This is our opportunity to move Lansing and our country forward!

Read the original column here.