PUBLIC SPENDING TO SUPPORT THE U.S. ECONOMY

WHEREAS, when the economy struggles, public spending on structure and services can make a difference between a robust recovery and prolonged stagnation; and

WHEREAS, investment in public infrastructure fuels economic growth by allowing things and ideas to move around (post office, airport, highway, grid system), providing basic necessities (public water system, dams, power grid) and preparing people to be productive (schools, community colleges); and

WHEREAS, we can no longer afford to defer investment in our nation's infrastructure; according to the American Society of Civil Engineers 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, there is a $2 trillion 10-year investment gap in our national societal infrastructure, including ports, highways, rail, schools, water systems and other important structures that support our society. In order to meet our future collective needs, we must increase infrastructure investments at all levels of government, especially during the current economic downtown; and

WHEREAS, federal infrastructure investment has fallen by half—from 1 percent to 0.5 percent of gross domestic product over the last 35 years—more of this essential task is left to state and local governments; and

WHEREAS, state and local governments represent 13 percent of total employment in the United States meaning investment in the public sector is also an investment in our collective employment and the common good of our society:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will support increased infrastructure investments at all levels of government and will fight austerity measures that will continue to cripple our society; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will continue to work with community partners to ensure a strong public sector that works for the common good of all.