Blumenthal, Murphy Wary of ‘Trojan Horse’ in Trump Infrastructure Plans
Connecticut senators concerned benefit might be more for investors than the public
Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Christopher S. Murphy on Monday voiced concerns over who President-elect Donald Trump’s promised infrastructure plans will really help.
Trump said in his acceptance speech on election night that he plans to rebuild highways, tunnels, bridges and airports, but did not specify how he would pay for the projects, the Hartford Courant reported. He has indicated using tax incentives to draw in private investors.
The senators said at a rally of construction workers in East Hartford that it will come down to who benefits most — investors or the public.
“There’s a compromise here, there’s a solution that will have equal parts public and private investment,” Murphy said. “If that’s on the table, you’ll have Republicans and Democrats rushing to President-elect Trump’s side to try to get an infrastructure bill done.”
[Trump Eyes a Bipartisan Idea to Pay for Rebuilt Roads, Bridges]
Blumenthal warned against a “Trojan horse” in the details.
“There’s danger in the details, danger that these projects will be a Trojan horse for tax breaks and giveaways to investors who simply get credits to do projects we’re already doing,” Blumenthal said.