Project AstraÔÇÖs first pillar is about rebuilding our inner citiesÔÇÖ infrastructure. Our nation already spends more than $492 billion on our infrastructure annually. This first pillar will focus on a commitment to two new policies and rebalancing this spending in the process.

According to data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), as of 2012, the federal government spent about $126 billion on non-defense investments through direct spending and transfers to state and local governments. Each year, state and local governments spend more than $250 billion on constructing roads, schools and other public infrastructure

The two policies we propose are:

1. We designate 15% of our countryÔÇÖs annual spending on infrastructure to specific impoverished communities (as defined by the federal government as Opportunity or Enterprise Zones ÔÇô $73.8 billion annually)

2. We require a national workforce hiring policy on all public works construction in the Opportunity/Enterprise Zones. At least 25% of the construction workers hired for these projects must meet at least one of these criteria:

  • Foster care child aging out of the system (these children get first priority in all opportunities)
  • Opportunity Zone resident and is living below the poverty line
  • Formerly incarcerated individual
  • ┬áMilitary veteran
  • Another local designation (as defined by the local area needs)