The pork-laden “infrastructure” bill has been unveiled, and it’s a monster.

[Elderberry]

Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog 8/2/2021

The pork-laden “infrastructure” bill has been unveiled, and it’s a monster. Some 2702 pages long, H. R. 3684 seems geared to shovel as much money into various branches of the federal bureaucracy as quickly as possible with as little oversight as possible.

The table of contents alone is some 17 pages long. And the usual crappy government PDF practices seem at work here. Looking for “high speed rail”? That search brings up nothing, but if you search for “high speed” with two spaces “high” and “speed,” you get one mention on page 2331. “Rail” appears 322 times (because Democrats obviously love subsidizing choo-choos).

Some random gleamings:

•  The word “tribal” appears 226 times

•  “Diversity” appears 23 times (most mentions appear to be unrelated to the SJW kind)

•  “Equity” appears 59 times, many under the “Digital Equity Act” (broadband subsidies)

•  “Housing” appears 68 times

•  “Marijuana” appears 12, most under “Sec. 25026. Report on marijuana research,” because evidently “driving while high is a bad idea” needs more federally funded research.

Some random minutia that somehow is found in a giant federal spending bill:

•  Sec. 11133. Bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways.

•  Sec. 11527. Blood transport vehicles.

•  Sec. 11528. Pollinator-friendly practices on roadsides and highway rights-of-way.

•  Sec. 22402. Grade crossing accident prediction model.

•  Sec. 24214. Hood and bumper standards.

There’s a “Carbon Reduction Program” (starting page 328) because of course there is.

There’s a lot of sections on “Cybersecurity” (194 matches), some of which might be a good idea in a separate cybersecurity bill, but is probably misplaced in an infrastructure bill. (The overwhelming problem is properly securing the technological infrastructure we already have. Buying new servers isn’t going to prevent the Tony Podestras of the world from using PASSWORD as their password…)

More: https://www.battleswarmblog.com/?p=48827

[Elderberry]

‘Infrastructure’ Bill Forces State-Mandated Carbon-Reduction Programs

Climate Change Dispatch by Katherine Hamilton on Aug 2, 2021

https://climatechangedispatch.com/infrastructure-bill-forces-state-mandated-carbon-reduction-programs/

Obscured in more than 2,700 pages of the U.S. Senate’s so-called bipartisan “infrastructure” bill is a plan for state-mandated carbon-reduction programs.

The text, which Breitbart News exclusively obtained from U.S. Senate sources not authorized to leak it, details how the federal government would mandate states to craft “Green New Deal”-style programs in partnership with local metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to fight “climate change.”

“A state, in consultation with any metropolitan planning organization designated within the state, shall develop a carbon reduction strategy,” according to the text, which is also in the officially released version of the bill. [Emphasis added]

The federal government oversees metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), which are designated by agreement between the governor and local governments and represent localities in all urbanized areas (UZAs) with populations over 50,000, as determined by the U.S. Census, according to the Federal Transit Administration.

There are at least 420 MPOs in the United States, the National Association of Regional Councils estimated.

No later than two years after the bill’s enactment, states would have to present their carbon reduction programs for approval to the secretary of transportation. The proposed strategies must meet several requirements to be considered “green” enough.

[Elderberry]

Some Republican U.S. senators snipe at $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill

Reuters by Makini Brice Richard Cowan 8/2/2021

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-works-push-1-trillion-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-passage-2021-08-02/

The U.S. Senate will try to complete work this week on a $1 trillion infrastructure investment bill that would bring long-awaited improvements to roads, bridges and mass-transit systems, even as some Republicans began complaining about the details.

Following long weekend sessions, senators on Monday began voting on amendments to the 2,702-page bill.

But battles already were shaping up.

Republican Senator Pat Toomey said in a statement that the bill's proposed tax reporting regime for cryptocurrencies was overly broad and unworkable. He said he plans to offer an amendment to change it.

Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation estimates the provision would raise $28 billion in new revenue over 10 years, which is important to lawmakers' goals of paying for the costs of the infrastructure bill.

"Congress should not rush forward with this hastily-designed tax reporting regime for cryptocurrency, especially without a full understanding of the consequences," Toomey said in an emailed statement.

[rangerrebew]

Infrastructure Bill Contains Pilot MBUF (Mileage Tax)-Goal Is Make It Too Expensive To Drive

by Joe Newby And Jeff Dunetz | Aug 2, 2021 | Politics
MBUF
 
On Sunday, the Senate released the final text of the so-called bipartisan (but really liberal) infrastructure bill — all 2,702 pages.  According to Breitbart, the huge bill was written in secret for months outside the normal legislative process.  Buried in the measure is a pilot program for a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee (MBUF) which is basically a long-term plan to make it too expensive to drive a car.

In case you’re wondering, here’s what a 2,702-page bill looks like:
 

One of the “fun” parts of the supposed bipartisan bill (fun for believers of the climate change hypothesis) can be found on page 511 of the measure, which you can see below:

    The objectives of the pilot program are—

    (A) to test the design, acceptance, implementation, and financial sustainability of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee;

    (B) to address the need for additional revenue for surface transportation infrastructure and a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee; and

    (C) to provide recommendations relating to the adoption and implementation of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee.

https://lidblog.com/mbuf/

[Smokin Joe]

Well, that tears it. Time to get on the ball and get the old land crusher and the '41 road ready. (you can turn the odometers backwards with a reversible drill).

[Elderberry]

Off Road: Infrastructure Bill Contains Mileage Tax Pilot, Makes it Expensive to Drive.

by The Drilldown Staff   |   August 03, 2021

https://thedrilldown.com/newsroom/off-road-infrastructure-bill-contains-mileage-tax-pilot-makes-it-expensive-to-drive/

Government Will Seek Out Volunteers to Monitor, Test Data Collection Methods.

2,702 pages later, we have an infrastructure bill. But it’s not without a few (many) questionable government oversteps, including plans to monitor driving habits and test a mileage tax.

Flipping quickly to page 511, we find details on the proposed tax pilot program.

The objectives of the pilot program are—

(A) to test the design, acceptance, implementation, and financial sustainability of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee;

(B) to address the need for additional revenue for surface transportation infrastructure and a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee; and

(C) to provide recommendations relating to the adoption and implementation of a national motor vehicle per-mile user fee.

A tax on the American people for driving, enforced by the mile. But more alarming, perhaps, is all the ways the government intends to monitor Americans to collect data on miles driven:

More at link.

[Kamaji]

Of course, electric cars will not only be exempt from this tax, they will be subsidized.

[txradioguy]

The left has been trying to get that mileage tax forced on us for a few years now.  Anything to force us to drive less and rely on government transportation to get where we are going.

Which in turn limits where and when we can go places.

[Elderberry]

Well, that tears it. Time to get on the ball and get the old land crusher and the '41 road ready. (you can turn the odometers backwards with a reversible drill).

I was taught that in Jr HS. One day the wood shop teacher asked me to run back the odometer on another teacher's car in the parking lot for xtra credit.

[mountaineer]

https://twitter.com/PoliticalShort/status/1422522624165531648

[Elderberry]

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Could Be an Infrastructure Bill Loser. Here’s Why.

Barron's  By Al Root Aug. 3, 2021

https://www.barrons.com/articles/how-this-infrastructure-bill-will-hurt-spacex-51628006007

There are unintended consequences to almost any decision. And Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s SpaceX might be impacted by one of them.

The 2,700-plus-page trillion-dollar infrastructure package moving its way through the U.S. Senate has about $65 billion pegged for rural broadband internet. That’s surely a good thing. In this modern world, everyone needs high-speed internet access for work, learning, and, frankly, streaming Netflix (ticker: NFLX).

The bill would help companies like AT&T (T) and Charter Communications (CHTR) deliver coverage to rural areas. AT&T CEO John Stankey called the benefits of a potential infrastructure bill “icing on the cake” back in April. But AT&T may not even need the support. “I think we can move forward without this policy to deliver to you what we said we were going to deliver,” the CEO said.

In the end, funding for broadband technology may actually hurt the next generation of high-speed internet technology—or make it harder for new tech to compete.

[rangerrebew]

The most ridiculous pay-outs in Congress's 'bipartisan' infrastructure bill
by Kaylee McGhee White, Commentary Writer |
 | August 04, 2021 12:08 PM
 

Republicans should reject the massive $1.2 trillion “bipartisan” infrastructure bill because Democrats are using it as a front to push through an even bigger $3.5 trillion leftist slush fund.

But let’s say the Democrats’ proposed reconciliation package fails, or the moderates successfully detach it from their bipartisan negotiations. Even so, Republicans should still kill the infrastructure bill for one reason only: it’s a bad, wasteful, unnecessary bill filled with ridiculous handouts.

Here are just a few examples of the pork stuffed throughout the 2,700+ page bill that were noted in this helpful Twitter thread:

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-most-ridiculous-pay-outs-in-congresss-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill?utm_campaign=article_rail&utm_source=internal&utm_medium=article_rail

[unite for individuality]

Of course, electric cars will not only be exempt from this tax, they will be subsidized.

The purchase of electric cars will continue to be subsidized,
but I expect that they will be mileage taxed, too.

An ultimate goal of per mile taxing of vehicles is not just to make driving unaffordable,
it's to have automated tracking of exactly WHERE everybody goes.
(On the other hand, cell phone tracking already pretty much does that.)

There have been proposals to put sensors in every road in the country
that will record the identity of every vehicle that passes over it,
and when it passed over.
The rationale is to make sure that every road gets its fair share of maintenance dollars.

[mystery-ak]

Michael Ginsberg
General Assignment Reporter
August 04, 2021 2:21 PM ET


Following months of negotiation, a bipartisan group of 20 senators introduced their $1.2 trillion infrastructure package Sunday.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act tallies 2,702 pages, and was described by lead negotiator Democratic Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema as a “historic investment in infrastructure.” The package includes $550 billion in new spending, with the rest redirecting spending that was already authorized by Congress.

Large portions of the redirected spending come from unused dollars allocated by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and other COVID-19 pandemic relief measures. At least $3 billion will come from unspent airline aid, Roll Call reported. Unspent unemployment benefits will cover $53 billion, $30 billion will come from unspent small business loans, and $353 million will come from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, according to The New York Times.

The bill cleared a filibuster July 28, before it had been formally introduced, with 17 Republicans joining all 50 Democrats in voting in favor of beginning debate. However, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act still has a long way to go to become law. Left-wing Democrats in the House of Representatives, supported by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, are threatening to tank the agreement if Senate Democrats do not pass a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package.

Here’s what’s in the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

more
https://dailycaller.com/2021/08/04/bipartisan-infrastructure-package-kyrsten-sinema-joe-biden/

[andy58-in-nh]

The only people who confuse "investment" with spending are those who play with taxpayer money. 

[Elderberry]

So-Called ‘Infrastructure’ Bill Includes Racial Quotas for Broadband

Breitbart by John Binder 2 Aug 2021

The so-called “infrastructure” bill, crafted by a group of Senate Democrats and Republicans, includes provisions to deliver broadband across the United States based on racial quotas and depending on the number of newly arrived immigrants.

The bill, officially released late Sunday evening, includes the Digital Equity Act that seeks to expand broadband to American communities that currently lack access to the Internet due to either poverty, dilapidated infrastructure, or their geographical location such as rural communities.

As part of the plan, the Department of Commerce would set up a grant program to states to fund broadband expansion. The grants would be divided up using this formula:

    50 percent of the total grant amount shall be based on the population of the eligible State in proportion to the total population of all eligible States.

    25 percent of the total grant amount shall be based on the number of individuals in the eligible State who are members of covered populations in proportion to the total number of individuals in all eligible States who are members of covered populations.

    25 percent of the total grant amount shall be based on the comparative lack of availability and adoption of broadband in the eligible State in proportion to the lack of availability and adoption of broadband of all eligible States…

In the terms section of the bill, a “covered population” means anyone who is considered an “aging individual, a prison inmate excluding those in federal prison, a veteran, an individual with disabilities, an individual with a language barrier, and anyone who is a member of a racial or ethnic minority.”

More: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/08/02/so-called-infrastructure-bill-includes-racial-quotas-for-broadband/

[Smokin Joe]

The left has been trying to get that mileage tax forced on us for a few years now.  Anything to force us to drive less and rely on government transportation to get where we are going.

Which in turn limits where and when we can go places.

Here that would mean you can take the train....East or west, but not across town...
Or one of the half dozen taxicabs in town...
Or the bus, provided you can get to the bus station (90 miles away).

This is an attempt to punish all those flyover country rural rubes who don't vote for the urban candidates.

We already pay fuels taxes, which work out to a per mile tax depending on the vehicle you drive. (Bigger, heavier, use more fuel as a rule). More miles equals more fuel tax revenue.

Of course the EV people are the ones to get up at arms over this, because they figured they had bought their way out of the fuel tax by going electric.

[christian]

With the massive spending by democrats, and fools buying blame Trump.  The democrats are now moving to crushing the economy with massive taxes and job losses to turn America into Venezuela North.  What happens when easily manipulated blind fools find liars and deceivers to lead them and the nation over the cliff.
 

[Smokin Joe]

With the massive spending by democrats, and fools buying blame Trump.  The democrats are now moving to crushing the economy with massive taxes and job losses to turn America into Venezuela North.  What happens when easily manipulated blind fools find liars and deceivers to lead them and the nation over the cliff.
 

Maybe I'm an optimist, but I think the blind fools were double counted.