In an interview with Chris Ryan, the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council Bharat Ramamurti discusses how New Hampshire will be affected by the Biden Administration’s proposed $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan, explains how the government determines what amount should be spent on a particular problem, outlines the changes which will be needed for the increased use of electric vehicles and what kinds of government incentives might be provided to encourage the purchase of electric cars, talks about what items in the Jobs Plan are open to negotiation, describes President Biden’s commitment to problem solving, and speculates whether the American Jobs Plan can be passed by Memorial Day
NEC Deputy Director Bharat Ramamurti gives examples of how the American Jobs Plan will improve New Hampshire’s and the nation’s infrastructure by providing access to broadband to every household in the United State, by replacing the lead pipes which are used to bring water to our schools, and to upgrade our Veteran’s Administration Hospitals.
According to Director Ramamurti, the government uses the best available evidence to determine the scale of the problems that we are facing. Also, on many projects to improve roads and bridges, the amount allocated is based on high quality data provided by the states and local governments.
With the goal of decreasing carbon emissions, Bharat Ramamurti says that the American Jobs Plan includes investments in providing more electric charging stations throughout the country. In order to encourage the purchase of American made electric vehicles, there will be point of sale credits and rebates provided.
Director Ramamurti says that President Biden has been meeting with Democrat and Republican lawmakers about the Jobs Plan. He is interested in their ideas about infrastructure and ways to pay for the projects. The President is considering increasing the corporate tax rate, especially for businesses which have benefitted in recent years from low rates or by moving jobs overseas.
“The President has announced a series of investments over the next eight years; and a tax plan which will pay for these investments over a fifteen-year period, and then every year thereafter reduce the deficit.”
President Biden, according to Bharat Ramamurti, feels that he was elected to solve problems. His first priority was to address the problem of COVID vaccine distribution. As a long time member of Congress, President Biden understands the legislative process, but he is committed to addressing these problems, like our crumbling infrastructure, which have been talked about for too long and now require attention.
Director Ramamurti would not say if the American Jobs Plan could be passed by Memorial Day. For now, the Biden Administration is letting the legislative process work itself out.