Friends,
Infrastructure matters. It really does.
Our water utility just celebrated some milestones. The “Hidden River” project expanded stormwater conduits under our downtown to prevent future flooding (ahead of schedule and under budget). And we upgraded the Dillman Road wastewater plant, also on time and budget, to reduce energy usage and modernize our 40-year-old main plant. That’s $36 million for basic infrastructure. (We’re also finding any place our system might have lead pipes, to win federal funding to replace them.)
Many residents don’t notice such basics. (Until they don’t work--ask Flint, Michigan.) I’m very proud of how all our city departments invest today for impact tomorrow:
Public safety – Indiana’s only city with a nationally accredited police department and a top-rated fire department
Public transit – launching new bus-rapid-transit, micro-transit, and Sunday services
Public housing – getting every unit a major rehab in five years instead of the original 25 years
Affordable housing – supporting 1,100+ units in the past six years, and adding $1 million per year going forward for ongoing expansion
Climate emergency – investing $1.6 million annually to implement our Climate Action Plan
Good jobs – launching Indiana’s fastest growing co-work space, attracting thousands of new jobs and $3.5 billion in investments, and raising wages to the top tier of the state
Digital access and equity – attracting $50 million private investment to build a city-wide fiber network and the nation’s best program to help low-income families get great broadband service
All these investments and more position Bloomingtonians to thrive.
As we celebrated the Dillman Road upgrades, we noted it was the 1972 federal Clean Water Act that launched much of our local investments, like that water plant, for a better environment. That was one example of big, ambitious federal legislation enabling a stronger, successful America to lead the way. You can tick off quite a list of similar big ideas: Social Security, the Civil Rights Acts, Medicare and Medicaid, the Clean Air Act, the Affordable Care Act, and more.
And it’s really extraordinary that the Biden/Harris administration – in just TWO YEARS! – has dramatically expanded this list with the American Rescue Plan Act ($1.9 trillion), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill ($1.2 trillion), the Inflation Reduction Act ($450 billion), and the CHIPS & Science bill ($280 billion). This is an amazing set of powerful investments in our future.
Locally, too, we’re making critical investments for our coming decades. Our 2016 Public Safety Local Income Tax supports those outstanding police and fire services. Our 2017 Food & Beverage Tax will expand our convention center to strengthen downtown. Our $10 million in 2018 Bicentennial bonds will build four new trails and plant hundreds of trees. Our modernized sanitation services protect our workers and increase recycling. This year’s $10 million bonds (planned for every five years) will let us maintain and improve parks and sidewalks and side-paths. And perhaps most importantly, our Economic Development Local Income Tax ($16 million annually) lets us walk the walk: expanding transit, affordable housing, climate responses, and equity, and supporting our outstanding public servants across all of city government.
Governments can get good things done, when we believe in ourselves. Critical investments are not always prominent, or even visible. But they are essential. And you know what? Democrats get it done. Nationally, and locally.
I’m an optimist, looking at Bloomington, and America – bright days are ahead. Yes, of course there are disappointments and dangers. Forces to contend with. But when we put our minds to it, and our shoulders to the wheel, and work together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.
Thanks for all you do to help Bloomington continue to prosper.
Democratically yours,
John Hamilton
P.S. I know you all know – vote! Early voting is underway. more details here. There is one week left to volunteer, donate, make calls, knock doors, and get the victories we need. Thanks for helping!!
P.P.S. If you want to receive regular updates of Bloomington city government’s goings on, consider signing up for a weekly email that summarizes news of the week. I think you’ll find it interesting, and efficient. Sign up here.