BUSINESS
RELATING TO GOVERNMENT
INSIGHTS ON U.S. LEGISLATIVE ISSUES AND INDUSTRY TOPICS
Infrastructure outlook
and state governments and with private
sector investments.
While many industries, including travel
and tourism, have been patiently wait-
ing for the release of the administration’s
formal infrastructure package, the lack of
time spent on the topic in the president’s
address left many wondering if it is still a
priority for this administration.
Additionally, the path forward for any
sort of infrastructure package remains
unclear, as some believe that a plan is
not possible without spending a large
sum of federal dollars. However, coming
together for an infrastructure plan could
create a clear post-midterm election win
for legislators on both sides of the aisle.
The White House, on the same day as
the State of the Union address, released
a fact sheet highlighting points from the
president’s address. This fact sheet pro-
posed using half of new federal spending
to motivate investment from the state
and local levels, focusing a quarter of
new federal funds on rural infrastruc-
ture, and reducing regulatory barriers
as a way to streamline the permitting
process. Many in Washington are looking
forward to the administration’s release of
a more detailed infrastructure proposal,
but as continuing resolution stopgap
spending bills take up the congressional
schedule, timing remains unclear.
Even without an exact timeline, NTA
remains optimistic that the administra-
tion and Congress can come together on
an infrastructure proposal that will facili-
tate a more positive experience for travel-
ers. NTA remains engaged with key offices
on Capitol Hill to remind elected officials
that the travel and tourism industry, a
major section of the U.S. economy, relies
on a safe and secure, fully funded, and
modern infrastructure system.
NTA, when participating in
Destination Capitol Hill March 21–22,
will continue to advocate for improve-
ments to the United States’ infrastruc-
ture and transportation system.
Signal Group is a Washington, D.C.,
lobbying firm retained by NTA to advise
members about travel-related issues
and legislation.
AFTER WHAT SOME MIGHT call a roller
coaster first year in the White House,
President Donald J. Trump delivered
his first State of the Union address Jan.
30. The president took advantage of
the national spotlight to highlight the
accomplishments of his administration
in his first year in office, and he took
the opportunity to excite his base in the
approach to the 2018 midterm elections.
President Trump has been touting a
forthcoming infrastructure plan ever
since his 2016 campaign, and many
expected more details to be highlighted
in the address. However, the president
was rather short on specifics for an
infrastructure proposal.
One of the only significant infrastruc-
ture-related details that emerged from
the State of the Union address was the
president’s call for Congress to “produce
a bill that generates at least $1.5 trillion
for the new infrastructure investment
that our country so desperately needs.”
The president went on to state that
every federal dollar should also be lever-
aged through partnerships with local
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